Page 32: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 2018)

Driving the Digital Ecosystem

Image: Wärtsilä

By Kira Coley

As one of the most important mega- main relevant, cost-effective and drive proach to be taken across the industry, shipbuilding to operating ports, will add trends this decade, digitalization is al- value to all of its customers. We are replacing the vertical view tradition- value and create greater ef? ciency for ready moving beyond the concept of an industry in change. But one thing is ally followed today. This means soon both customers and suppliers. connectivity and data gathering towards clear, digitalization is no longer the fu- enough we will see a different approach For example, operators at one major a greater and more integrated future ture, it is the present," said Marco Ryan, to collaboration, competition, security, European port wanted to know if they where the entire industry coexists as Wärtsilä’s Chief Digital Of? cer and Ex- safety, and technology. And it really is could be informed when a vessel starts one digital ecosystem. As this vision be- ecutive Vice President. something that is relevant to everybody up. Rather than relying on the ship crew comes a reality, we will see a new era In every corner of the maritime sector, because the entire industry is trying to to tell port operators when they are about of partnerships, knowledge sharing, and organizations are talking about big data, work out what their role is in a slightly to leave, information about engine activ-

AI-led practices. Disruptive technolo- digitization, and cloud computing. As a uncertain future where smart technology ity would provide a useful proxy and al- gies and ground-breaking projects have deeper understanding develops around will no doubt impact the current business low staff to prepare for the vessels de- begun to transform the maritime land- these topics, many have begun to ac- models, and change how we work day- parture in advance. For Wärtsilä, using scape, and the opportunities that emerge tively seek new ways to work across the to-day.” ecosystem thinking, new value can be from this transition will avail the inno- value chain, discover new roles and so- In November 2017, Wärtsilä an- found in existing data that perhaps was vators and organizations that are already lidify a place in an imminent, unfamiliar nounced its vision for a Smart Marine considered unhelpful before, driving ef- embracing the digital frontier. future. Ecosystem. By taking a broader and ? ciency and modernizing the industry. “Digitization and cloud computing are Ryan explains, “Smart technology al- horizontal perspective, the ability to op- “There will be more of this ecosystem enablers for an industry that needs to re- lows a much broader and horizontal ap- timize across the whole process, from thinking and integration between what 32 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JANUARY 2018

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