It’s undeniable – technology is changing Maritime for good. From Artificial Intelligence to the Internet of Things, smart ship technologies are not limited only to on-board technologies. Referring to port designs and waterways as well, these technologies are pushing the industry to a safer and more sustainable future.
Artificial Intelligence
Cargo vessels carry containers that vary in size, weight and destination. With more than a billion containers passing several ports across the globe, some of them contain high priority items with a fixed delivery timeframe to get to a new port. Meanwhile, others might not be as urgent.
In some cases, the first container that needs to be unloaded might be placed right at the bottom. This means that port terminals would need to unload all the cargo above to access that container, making it not optimal and a reason for delay.
However, a Smart Ship with Artificial Intelligence allows the flow of commerce and commodities between ports to be streamlined through automated equipment and advanced analytics – ensuring urgent goods are given priority.
3D Printing
Advanced Robotics are disrupting many industries, including Maritime. Robots are already being used for maintenance and security. With 3D printing, it decreases the number of spare parts being carried onboard and allows for an as-needed repair and production. This will significantly resolve any timely availability of spare parts on board the ship. It also allows the possibility to make the latest updated version of a spare part instantly as designed by the maker.
Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality (AR) is mainly being used for seafarers training in institutes to help students learn from several real-life experiences. Other than that, AR can be utilised for maintenance and inspection of vessels with the use of wearables and remote guidance software and visual images. This helps to identify issues during the early stages of design; hence, reducing cost if such concerns arise during implementation.
Internet of Things (IoT)
In a world where devices are hyper-connected, the Internet of Things is another smart ship technology that allows for better cargo handling. Through sophisticated communications between devices and tools, preemptive maintenance becomes easier through satellite coverage, sensor technology, cloud computing and data analytics. With IoT, ship owners and managers can also quickly identify equipment issues and easily link third-part applications for monitoring vessel performance and fuel efficiency.
