Advanced technologies that ship operators can use to enhance safety
Waterways are a vital mode of transportation for all economic sectors and the national economy as a whole. Countries with strong ports can easily handle international trade in imports and exports.
Ship operators
Italy is home to world-class car manufacturers such as Ferrari and Lamborghini, and the country’s car and parts exports generate nearly $30 billion each year, accounting for a significant portion of its GDP. Japan, Germany, the UAE, the Netherlands, China, and Singapore also rely heavily on the maritime industry.
International trade experts estimate that the export potential of the maritime economy is as high as $2.5 trillion, which could help countries recover from the pandemic crisis.
However, ship safety is always a concern. Ships are as vulnerable in port as they are at sea.
Current safety measures
The following measures can enhance ship safety:
All crew members must be vigilant at all times. The crew on duty can detect any problems and solve them before they cause damage to the ship.
Crew members must keep all hatches closed, and visitors are not allowed to enter without a thorough inspection.
Every crew member must fulfill their duties and maintain a high level of safety.
Crew members must regularly monitor restricted areas on board.
The proper functioning of monitoring equipment is essential. Communication equipment must be adequate and operate efficiently throughout the voyage, including during loading and unloading, to track the movement of cargo.
All trained crew members must be able to analyze problems and act quickly in emergencies.
The factors that affect the shipping industry are both natural and man-made. When ships are sailing in the open ocean, adverse weather conditions can endanger the lives of crew members. Therefore, it is essential to monitor weather conditions such as sea conditions, wind direction, and tide levels.
Oil spills and ship accidents are other issues that may threaten the safety of ships. Oil spills endanger marine flora and fauna and threaten aquatic ecosystems.
In recent years, there have been frequent incidents of kidnapping and piracy at sea. Illegal trade, unlicensed fishing, human trafficking, and drug smuggling are common in the global supply chain. Every day, we hear reports of large amounts of drugs being seized, including cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and other hard drugs.
Using technology to meet challenges
Solving these problems requires the application of cutting-edge technology. These issues must be addressed as they threaten safety and cause economic losses.
Cargo ships are undoubtedly the most common targets of pirates. As pirates increasingly attempt to steal all cargo on board, the shipping industry must prioritize cybersecurity. The latest innovations, such as blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT), can help in this regard.
Automation technology on ships is similar to that of self-driving cars, such as Tesla. Self-driving cars have built-in software that can control and manage the vehicle, making critical decisions.
For example, let’s say a Tesla car is turned on in autopilot mode. In this case, the vehicle will use artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision to ensure safety and avoid accidents.
The advanced technology of electric vehicles can also determine whether the vehicle is under surveillance, which is crucial for safety. We can utilize similar technology to develop self-driving ships, thereby reducing safety risks, enhancing efficiency, and predicting potential dangers.
Smart Technology in the Shipping Industry
1. Smart Ports
Ports are valuable assets for a country’s shipping industry. More than 80% of cargo is transported by water. Most port facilities are outdated and struggle to cope with congestion. Innovative technology is an ideal solution to this problem.
Smart ports utilize advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, big data, sensor data, the Internet of Things, and blockchain, to automate operations, thereby enhancing management efficiency and accelerating task completion.
Popular Smart Ports
The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands is creating a digital twin of the port to track ship dynamics, cargo tonnage, climate, and other geographical and marine conditions. The digital twin of the Port of Rotterdam will significantly improve efficiency and ease port congestion.
The Port of Busan in South Korea is also undergoing a transformation into a smart port. Blockchain technology is being utilized to track transit cargo, thereby preventing smuggling.
How do smart ports work?
Smart ports are equipped with sensors, cameras, and other related equipment and are fully connected to a server network, building a fully integrated communication system. This secure communication chain enables remote control of heavy machinery and automated port components, allowing users to track cargo.
Advantages and Future Developments
Smart ports contain a range of efficient machines that can perform all tasks, from unloading cargo from ships to measuring and loading it into transport trucks and vice versa. Remotely controlled terminal trains can also transport cargo from one side to the other. This process is fully automated, resulting in a 25% improvement in productivity and a reduction in processing time.
A significant amount of effort has been invested in developing smart clothing for port staff and seafarers to ensure their safety and enable them to navigate in AI-driven vehicles. Research is currently underway to enable the maritime sector to maximize the use of 5G technology. Smart ports must also be cost-effective. A smart port equipped with artificial intelligence is expected to cost up to $2.7 billion.
Building and maintaining these facilities will create countless jobs. It will also open up new horizons for artificial intelligence and enhance site safety, security, and self-sustainability by leveraging the vast amounts of data flowing through these facilities.
Challenges and Limitations of Smart Port Development
There are many challenges to the development of smart ports. The high cost of implementing advanced new technologies and the upgrades required for such a transformation will be prohibitive.
Non-intrusive inspection equipment, which helps inspect cargo and track it, costs between $1 million and $15 million. Regular maintenance of smart ports will cost millions of dollars. The exact amount depends on the size and volume of cargo handled.
Smart ports must also have a well-organized cybersecurity team to protect their databases from cyberattacks. The IT system of the Port of Antwerp in Belgium suffered a similar incident when a group of drug traffickers hacked into the port.
The Automatic Identification System (AIS) provides real-time information about ships. It is equipped with a tracking and monitoring system designed to improve maritime safety. It assists in ship navigation and precise positioning, helping the Integrated Global Shipping Information System (IGIS) maintain traffic and cargo distribution statistics. It is also an effective communication system between the ship’s control room and shore.
Other Automated Systems
Recently, several automated communication systems have been developed to ensure the smooth navigation of ships.
AMVER is the abbreviation of “Automatic Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System”. It is a ship safety system developed by the United States Coast Guard that is able to provide assistance and support to ships in emergencies with its rapid ship positioning and crisis management algorithms.
AMS, or Automatic Manifest System, is a cargo tracking system based on pre-entered ship cargo data. The system was implemented in the United States in 2004 to enhance port security.
Vessel Management System (VMS) is a traffic monitoring and management system that utilizes the Global Positioning System (GPS). It helps transmit weather and environmental data between the shore and the ship.
Korea and ICT Solutions
KT, a leading network provider in Korea, has developed a variety of ICT-based solutions to enhance maritime safety. The South Korean telecom company’s technology includes long-range networks that cover remote areas. Using the Internet of Things (IoT) and devices designed for IoT, the life jackets can be tracked up to 200 kilometers from land. The life jackets can help track people and support rescue operations in the event of an accident. The life jackets use sensor technology; when the life jacket falls into the water, the water pressure sensor is activated and sends information about the wearer’s location and health to the rescue team.
Weather Forecast Technology
Climate change and the disasters it causes have increased the need for effective weather forecasting technology, such as atmospheric radio occultation technology that monitors changes in radio signals.
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a radio occultation technology that relies on radio transmissions from the Global Positioning System (GPS) or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). It is a new technology for making atmospheric measurements. These new technologies should be applied to all ships, especially autonomous ships.
Weather Forecasting Technology
Climate change and the disasters it causes have increased the need for effective weather forecasting technology, such as atmospheric radio occultation, which monitors changes in radio signals.
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a radio occultation technology that relies on radio transmissions from GPS or GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). It is a new technology for making atmospheric measurements. These new technologies should be applied to all ships, especially autonomous ships.
Weather Forecasting Technology
Spire Maritime is a subsidiary of Spire Global, specializing in the development of satellite data solutions for the maritime industry. The startup has launched CubeSat satellites that utilize radio waves to track ships and collect information, including seafloor temperature, ocean currents, and wind direction. This data will help ships plan their voyages accordingly and alert them to impending dangers.
Conclusion
The maritime industry is undergoing a rapid digital transformation. Machine learning and data analytics are contributing to this process. Effective data analytics will help predictive maintenance, which can detect and warn of impending hazards and mechanical failures. Digitalization will help improve ship safety, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and illegal trade, thereby supporting the economic development of participating countries. Enhanced cybersecurity is also critical for effective monitoring of smart ports and autonomous ships.
