The Impact of Technology on the Maritime Sector

Technology is making life easier for small to medium-sized shipowners or managers, and seafarers on board vessels and at sea.

FREMONT, CA: Virtually every industry on the planet is changing as a result of technological advancement, especially emerging technologies. The shipping business is one area that is compelled to adapt to a new operating method. It has undergone significant change in areas as diverse as vessel navigation and office-based procedures like maritime recruitment and personnel management. The maritime sector, however, has tradition flowing through its very veins—it is one of the oldest professions and this traditionalism can cause some players in the industry to have out-of-date viewpoints and be resistant to change. But as a new generation of seafarers rises through the ranks–one that has grown up with computers, smartphones, social media, and connections--the sector will be more likely to adopt maritime technology and the improvements it brings to seafarer jobs.

1. Wi-Fi on board vessels: Having Wi-Fi on board has made it effortless for people to communicate with friends and families, as well as to keep themselves amused and informed, no matter how distant they are from land. It is impossible to overstate the impact of such technologies on their overall welfare and mental health.

2. Gamification and other realities: Concerning education, the training of sailors themselves are transforming. Alternate reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and simulator-based training are currently being utilised to train cadets and crew members so they can hone their maritime abilities on dry land. Such pieces of training reduce risk and are far more financially feasible than training at sea. Gamification, on the other hand, promotes engagement using elements that are typically seen in video games, such as rules of play, point scoring, and rivalry. Additionally, it may be tailored to the learner in ways that traditional classroom instruction cannot.

3. Self-driving ships: Will robots eventually replace seafarers? Since this is an era of driverless automobiles, and marine technology ideas like autonomous ships are gaining traction. Unmanned ships that are operated remotely from virtual bridges on land are expected to become a reality in the not too distant future, which may make individuals of a more traditional leaning fearful. But according to industry experts, a human team will always remain essential. That's wonderful news for everyone who is now employed in or pursuing a career in maritime work. Although it can imply that certain positions in the maritime sector alter and develop as navigators are also required on land.

4. Drones: Another proposed answer to safety and security issues is the employment of drones in the maritime sector and seafarer occupations. Drones can significantly reduce the time and cost involved in tracking a vessel's flaws so that issues can be identified and repaired while a ship is at sea. Drones can operate in hostile locations and under adverse conditions, which is another advantage. A deployed drone might be used for onboard security to acquire more useful information than numerous cameras dispersed over an area.

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5. Crewing systems: Operations will be streamlined and made simpler with the aid of crewing system software created for use by small to medium-sized shipowners or managers as well as manning agents. A sound crewing system will allow its user to customise it, enabling them to bring together all the various crew management and recruitment procedures they use in the marine industry and manage them all from a single, centralised location.