Whether it’s port congestion or other unexpected events, 2021 was one of the most chaotic years for maritime – surviving the year is an accomplishment by itself for many shipping companies. Looking at the year ahead, here are some maritime predictions forecasted for 2022.
Future of Crew Change
The pandemic has transformed the typical crew change system where they would usually work on time-based schedules. To help companies make smarter changes around new regulations, new and inventive systems will have to be developed. More connectivity and Artificial Intelligence are expected in 2022 to optimise crew transfers in the future of shipping streamlining processes.
Route Optimisation Becomes Mandatory
Schedule reliability has stayed as one of the biggest challenges over the year, contributing to port congestion. As a result, the two main ports in California have extended the inbound trans-pacific containerships are requested to avoid while awaiting a berth at the ports.
Not only does this increase safety, but it also allows ships to adopt slow-steaming and reduce their carbon footprint. Seeing how it has benefitted the Californian ports, this new system of operation is expected to be adopted by other international ports.
Blockchain Technology
With the rise of smart contracts, approval and customs clearance, processing times would be reduced through blockchain. Not only would blockchain optimise document-sharing but would also tighten security as user identities would be better protected through crypto-programming and permission-based sharing.
Sustainable Supply Chain
With ESG at the top of minds in any industry, sustainability is a key trend in 2022. With Deloitte stating that 28% of consumers ceased purchasing from a brand or product because they had ethical or sustainability concerns about them, shipping companies would need to seriously consider their logistics and operations. For example, they could reduce their impact on the environment by switching to a more fuel-efficient fleet or switching to a circular supply chain that as many materials as possible are recycled back into the manufacturing process.
Inventory Control Through Cloud Technology
While cloud technology is nothing new, its adoption rate is increasing due to the easy set up and usage. For the shipping industry, cloud technology will continue to grow by optimising inventory management. More shipping companies are seeing its benefits including eliminating data silos, ability to connect high-value tools efficiently, as well as easy tracking of inventory location and levels in real-time (even for remote warehouses). This would help to avoid stockouts and minimise bullwhip effects resulting from the inefficient transmission of demand signals through the supply chain.
