How has COVID-19 accelerated digitalization within the Maritime Industry

Shipping industry has experienced major disruptions in 2020 due to the Corona virus. International shipping is one of the majorly affected industries amidst this outbreak. The shipping industry has seen a widespread impact on the operations causing the decline in international trade activities across the globe. Shipping Operations, terminals, ports, CFSs (Container Freight Station), ICDs (Inland Container Depots) and warehouses are feeling the heat. As a result of the Corona outbreak, the majority of ports throughout the world have been forced to re-examine their routines. Greater use of digital tools has been part of the solution in an effort to maintain an efficient workflow.    

Role of technology in countering current challenges :

It is expected that the impact of COVID-19 will result in accelerating the moves towards Digitalization. Digitalization is expected to make major impact in Shipping Industry by bring in new technology driven business models to ease their mode of operations and helping Maritime companies with :

• Adaption of Social distancing and restricting human movement globally  
• Remote monitoring & Fleet management with live tracking, monitoring and analysis of critical Machinery Data Parameters.
• Actionable Intelligence based on live machinery data.
• Remote Video based maintenance & escalation handling.
• Crew welfare and telemedicine
• Predictive diagnostics & maintenance

Emerging technologies such as the internet of things (IOT), big data, automation and robotics is leading significant changes for the maritime industry. Data generated from the Vessel (Voyage, machinery, cargo, port, agents, etc.) are now put in a pattern to extract meaningful information with help of Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. Maritime technology companies like Smart Ship Hub are aggressively leveraging these technologies and helping Maritime companies adapt technology driven business models and making way for the digitalization of core business areas.