Page 28: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (March 2020)

Software & Digitalization

Cloud Technology

An Enabler in the Digital Revolution he shipping industry is ? nally embracing are major business bene? ts too, and the industry has ac- technology that is changing how compa- knowledged the pivotal enabling role connectivity plays in nies operate. Despite lagging behind other every aspect of their operations. Investment in technology is

T industries, the shipping industry is cur- growing as a result as shipping companies develop better un- rently experiencing an exciting period of derstanding of how technology can help their business. digital transformation, with cloud technol- According to the Navis Business Bellwether report, which ogy and mobile apps welcomed by leading global shipping tracks the perceptions, intentions and mindset of the global companies, changing ship management forever. maritime industry, approximately 90% of respondents expect

Companies are increasingly using mobile apps to manage their company to increase technology spending this year and all aspects of their business – to automate tasks, manage their 56% indicate spending will increase by six percent or more.

processes, resourcing and to improve the wellbe- Secondly, one of the ing of seafarers, a trend that is expected to con- biggest advantages of tinue as the bene? ts become ever more apparent. having improved con-

Driving this change is the increased availability nectivity and the use of reliable connectivity at sea and cheaper costs, of cloud solutions and which is enabling more companies to access af- apps is being able to fordable ? eet management cloud solutions and share data in real time. mobile apps. This is fundamentally

According to Fu-

Companies no longer need to rely on paper- changing how compa- turenautics Mari- based systems and can start to take advantage of nies operate.

time’s Crew Connec- digital solutions and use smart phones to manage In the past, access- tivity 2018 survey

Photo: Hanseaticsoft their operations. ing data and accurate 75% of seafarers use the internet at sea information was a big

What are the bene? ts for shipping companies? challenge that often

Firstly, the technological revolution is bene? ting crew wasted time and resources. Without the cloud, different teams enormously. According to Futurenautics Maritime’s Crew would be inputting and storing data in different systems, and

Connectivity 2018 survey of more than 6,000 seafarers, 75% data may not have been accessible or accurate or shared ef- now use the internet at sea – an increase of 32%, or more fectively with others. than half a million more crew (520,000, to be exact) since the This needed to change. Having accurate and up to date 2015 survey. business critical information in one place and accessible to

Seafarers are typically using three devices on board, with staff on or offshore is key to improving communication and smartphones the most popular device, as well as laptops and collaboration between crew members on and off the ship. even smart watches and ? tness trackers, says the report. This Cloud technology is improving decision making and elimi- is enabling crew to keep in touch with family and friends nating the need for additional data exchange. Staff no longer when they are away at sea, which is hugely bene? cial to their need to spend time sending emails back and forth, requesting overall wellbeing. or forwarding information.

A study this year by international maritime charity Sailors’ Management decision making is also improved. With one

Society and Yale University found that more than a quarter of source of true data, operators have a complete 360-degree seafarers show signs of depression, while 45% of them had overview of their ? eet and entire operations which means not approached anybody for help. they can react immediately and con? dently to accurate in-

Having stable internet access allows them to communicate formation. regularly with families and loved ones at home, plus they can Thirdly, another major bene? t is that cloud software doesn’t use mobile apps to meet a range of needs, from mental health require big expense on new infrastructure and staff don’t support and wellbeing, to knowing their rights and protecting need to have great IT skills. Most shipping cloud software is the marine environment. intuitive and requires minimal training. This can encourage

The Futurenautics Maritime report highlighted that there companies previously reluctant to introduce new technolo- 28 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • March 2020

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