Page 63: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2017)

The Future for Transas “It will be ‘powered by Transas.’ Transas’ strength is the brains behind the decision support that goes on in the industry. Our ECDIS is about the capabilities for the user; our simulators are about the platform for training; our VTS is about decision support for operators; and our ? eet operations and arti? cial intelligence routing that we are building is about enabling the operator to use the tools. The Transas vision is to join the dots so that all four of those work together in an ecosystem that’s not unlike the aviation industry.” it is evolving in the container shipping Think Global, Act Local will be ‘powered by Transas.’ Transas’ our ? eet operations and arti? cial intel- and cruise sectors today. Transas is an As the oft-characterized ‘conserva- strength is the brains behind the deci- ligence routing that we are building is enabler from a software perspective and tive’ maritime market digests a historic sion support that goes on in the industry. about enabling the operator to use the from an arti? cial intelligence perspec- change in operational direction, Coles Our ECDIS is about the capabilities for tools. The Transas vision is to join the tive. But Transas has two other key el- offers some bold predictions regarding the user; our simulators are about the dots so that all four of those work to- ements to its business: Vessel Traf? c the direction: platform for training; our VTS is about gether in an ecosystem that’s not unlike ?

Systems which is, by another name, is Fleet Operations: I see the decision support for operators; and the aviation industry.” ship traf? c control. The other part is the largest transformation in terms of simulation.” ? eet operations centers where the ships will be managed in a much

Disruptive Disruption more scaled manner from the shore.

When asked regarding his thoughts on It’s happing now.

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“Disruptive Technology,” the term of the Vendor Market: There’s not day in maritime circles, Coles is blunt: enough room for all of the Satcom “It doesn’t mean anything. ‘Disruption’ companies, there’s not enough room means something to me.” for all of the vendors that supply ap-

When talk turns to disruption in mari- plications. Digitalization leads to time circles, it often is technology cen- commoditization; to survive com- tric, hand-in-hand with the ‘Big Data’ moditization, you need scale.

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discussion. But Coles sees it differently. Consolidation: I see ship “Disruption means you don’t see it com- management companies becoming ing. It means it comes from outside, not large ship management companies. from within. It comes from people who If they innovate, they could be the have no respect for the so-called special key components in the digitalized position that those that are traditional world.

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within maritime think they are. They The Human Factor: If we have no respect for history and they will can’t ? nd enough people of the right come in seeking an easier, better, sim- skills, that will speed up automa- pler, smarter way to remove the middle tion, that will speed up the use of man. This industry is full of middle men. arti? cial intelligence and the use of

Disruption will come from changing other technologies.

the process and changing the business While the younger generation is gen- model. It is not the technology, it is the erally viewed as the hinge to driving model, it is the process that changes.” change, a big wild card in the pace of

Speci? cally, Coles envisions a world change remains the regulators. “When where the ecommerce giants, the Ama- a lot of the old guys are gone, change zon’s and Alibaba’s of the world, in- will start to happen much quicker. What creasingly gain control of the various I haven’t factored in is whether we can transport segments to ensure that their get so far ahead of the regulators, as supply chain is delivering to a greater regulators could be the anchor that drags degree of ef? ciency. “There could a time it all down,” said Coles. “But if Uber when they move into maritime shipping, and AirBNB can come in and challenge and they’re not going to rely on the ste- around regulation, there is no reason vedores that go on strike every so of- why the disruptors won’t come in (to ten and screw up American trade,” said maritime) and ? nd a way to challenge

Coles. “They’re going to get their own the IMO, to challenge the regulators.

port, or they’re going to get their own And while Coles thinks and talks ‘big wharf and they are going to control their picture,’ inevitably the conversation own port. It is inevitable. (In addition) comes back to Transas, the company he the freight forwarder is dead in my view. leads. When asked what Transas will

It is inevitable that more cargo booking, look like in 10 years, he is clear.

cargo management and cargo control “It will look like a software business, will be online.” providing decision support tools; it www.marinelink.com 63

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