AI to revolutionise shipping and logistics industry

Artificial intelligence (AI) is among the top disruptive technologies expected to impact the shipping industry in the immediate to long-term future.

That is according to the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), which revealed the industry perspective in a report titled Disruptive Technologies in the Marine Sector: 2023 and Beyond. The finding was based on a survey of 700 scientists and technologists and consultations with its various special interest groups experts and technical leadership board.

When quizzed about what will be among the greatest challenges, the experts shared several technology-related issues, including the impact of AI and the development of systems that process and analyse large amounts of data and use that information to make decisions and predictions.

The industry’s move towards greater inclusion of the much-publicised AI could revolutionise operations, improve safety, and reduce costs. AI may automate cargo tracking, route optimisation, scheduling, monitor equipment performance, and provide real-time weather and ocean conditions data for navigation.

The introduction of autonomous vessels, modernisation, digitisation, security, and cybercrime were also noted as major technological matters.

SHIPPING OPPORTUNITIES

Kevin Daffey, chair of the IMarEST Board of Trustees, said the body’s members identified that the shipping and logistics sector is entering a decade of rapid technological change and investment. “Technological innovation is helping to make ships more efficient, emit less pollutants, lower the capital costs, make operations safer, and we are starting to see technology help transfer jobs from the sea to the shore,” he said, adding that there is much more to come across all areas of marine, not just shipping. It is an exciting time and one of much opportunity for all of us. We also have to recognise that it will bring disruption and challenges. First and foremost, in all of this, we must remember to put the human front and centre.”

The advent of the coronavirus pandemic hastened the industry’s move towards change and showed that “we can adapt and do many things that were previously thought impossible, including working from home, relying on technology for effective communication, co-working, and much more,” Daffey said.

He said that the balance between human and machine is needed. “One of the greatest fears is the idea that we are all going to be replaced by robots. The reality is more likely robots, artificial intelligence, and autonomous vessels will be our ‘colleagues’ rather than our replacements.”

Increasing trust in technology and overcoming hazards, which may arise from the introduction of new technology, are issues that must be addressed. “So we need investment and commitment to industrialise technology so that we can build and benefit from scale. This industrialisation will be the game-changer for the marine industry and lead to greater rollout of technology.”

What is more, the survey disclosed that related challenges concerning people and the environment will play a major role in the sector’s future. Among the central challenges related to people are attracting personnel into careers in marine engineering, science and technology, retaining people and expertise as roles change, filling existing skills gaps with new and existing talent, and developing skills for future roles.

Gwynne Lewis, CEO of IMarEST, said: “Like many other professions, the marine profession is facing enormous skills gaps. We need to ensure that we have enough people with the right skills for now and the future …we must ensure that we are attractive to new talent, we retain our existing expertise, and we retrain people where we have opportunity.”

Environmental challenges identified as areas of growing concern are managing energy and fuel transition, decarbonisation, managing emissions, climate change, and skilling up the renewables and offshore wind sector.

Daffey concluded: “The strands of technology, people, and environment are heavily interwoven and reliant on each other to create future success. By keeping humans at the centre of technological change, we can build a bright future for our profession.”