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Why AI is a game-changer for maritime
Artificial intelligence (AI) will transform the shipping industry, providing the potential to optimise operations and improve safety
The opening ceremony of the Europort 2023 exhibition in Rotterdam, the Netherlands focused on AI and its future impact on shipping.
During an industry panel discussion, WISTA International president and tanker operator ENEA Management’s operations, chartering and business development manager, Elpi Petraki said AI and digital innovation will develop rapidly in the industry over the next 5-10 years.
“We need to be ready to accept AI,” she said. “The risks will need to be understood and we will need controls. Industry needs to embrace AI’s role in maritime.”
Ms Petraki said seafarers and onshore management will need training in how to use AI and facilitate its implementation in the shipping industry.
“AI will make it safer on board and facilitate better management on shore. We need to embrace it to make the future better. Inclusive teams make better teams.”
Potential uses of AI are faster data processing to provide greater insights to seafarers for safer navigation, for predictive maintenance and better crew training.
Kongsberg Digital chief executive Shane McArdle said it is important to put AI technology “in people’s hands” to enable innovation, but it should be “tested in sandboxes and risk assessed before its full public adoption.”
Also important is human-AI co-ordination and having crew and shore personnel to manage, verify and check results from using AI.
“We cannot ignore AI,” said Mr McArdle. “It will not pass us by. Humans need to be central to this technology.”
AI could be used to optimise vessel operations and to reduce emissions and fuel costs for owners.
Samskip head of business engineering and transformation Sander Haas said shipping companies need to lead AI development to achieve commercial and environmental benefits.
“We need leadership to bring the possibilities of AI into the industry and really see what it can do,” said Mr Haas.
However, the maritime and offshore industries are not adapting quickly enough to using AI’s potential, said Smash! digital strategist and programme manager Ilyaz Nasrullah.
A developer, builder and operator of small electric vessels, Seabird Technologies plans to use AI to optimise operations and create new business. Seabird chief technology officer Nathan Baker said AI will be used to help engineers prevent equipment failures on vessels.
“Predictive maintenance is hugely important for us,” he said. AI will be used for “measuring equipment performance, remote analytics and diagnostics and providing insight on when to repair or replace equipment.”
Mr Baker said Seabird will install sensors on its vessels to map and survey the seabed and marine environments during its voyages. The company could send this information to ports, governments, hydrographic offices and environmental agencies and organisations, thus generating new revenue streams.
The ceremony opened with an AI-generated presentation and an interview with Dead End Art Gallery founder Constant Brinkman, who provided insight into the benefits of using AI.
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