Page 107: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 1998)

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

IT In Shipping: Evolution or Revolution?

IT — information technology — is the industry "buzzword" of the late 1990s. IT is widely perceived as being at the leading edge of commercial progress and, as with many such developments, has evolved its own jargon and mys- tique and may become influential in intracorporate politics.

Many would argue that, in all its guises, shipping is the world's biggest industry, with, perhaps, only banking or insurance chal- lenging this claim. Yet, in an area where leading edge technology could be vital to its progress, many shipping sectors appear to be anti- quated regarding IT. More curi- ously, perhaps, much of the IT industry does not seem to regard the shipping industry as the important business field that it is.

This, concludes Drewry in its lat- est briefing report, IT in Shipping — Evolution or Revolution? would imply that the shipping industry is unclear about what the IT sector can offer — and vice versa.

The shipping industry is in the main noted, even notorious, for its conservative approach and conse- quently IT engenders some reti- cence. Nevertheless, according to

Drewry, there is a significant cross- section of experienced shipping industry interests looking to "have the situation" explained.

IT is about communication, information transmission and analysis — at high speed, in con- siderable volume if needed, and to a wide range of destinations simul- taneously. Operationally (e.g. ship-to-shore) and commercially (e.g. owner-broker-charterer or seller-broker-buyer), communica- tion is a more vital element of ship- ping business than many others.

However, where IT provides advancement is its ability to allow this communication process to be interactive.

Drewry's research suggests, however, that the shipping indus- try may face risks if it adopts an introverted stance. The effect of doing so could well be to delight those who exploit shipping.

Clearly, merely embracing IT is not the solution but, rather, Drewry suggests that the shipping indus- try should be looking to answer the question: Does IT offer a route by which the shipping industry can enhance its efficiency, competitive advantage, selling position, public image, attractiveness to investors, attractiveness to an educated, quality workforce and, of course, bottom line? It is a question that individual decision makers within the shipping industry have to answer — and the answer may not be straightforward.

Drewry's findings suggest that, currently, the shipping industry appears most comfortable with IT applications that surface in the operational or ship management context — satellite communica- tions, the ability to download the contents of a shipboard computer w f f e're making waves in the stainless steel boat shafting industry. Manufactured and distributed under one chain of warran- ty, Aquatech shafts are state-of-the-art and built to last.

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June, 1998 109