Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM) and the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) have formed a joint innovation programme to explore digitalisation in the shipping sector
This programme, Digital Waves, aims to optimise onboard data gathering, connectivity and artificial intelligence (AI). It will have a global perspective and address using and installing sensors, augmented and virtual reality, machine learning, 5G mobile networks and edge-cloud technologies in maritime and data processing.
CSM and CMMI will combine these technology developments and trends into a holistic programme they expect will contribute to significant efficiencies, cost savings and strategic transformation.
CSM president Mark O’Neil expects digitalisation and connectivity to change shipmanagement business in the future. “We are entering a new decade amid the beginning of a fundamental digital transformation in shipping,” he said. “We envisage, through Digital Waves, to benefit from the rise of improved and cost sustainable connectivity.
“Digitalisation can transform every aspect of the shipmanagement model over the next three decades with a primary focus on safety and efficiency to the benefit of our clients,” Mr O’Neil said.
He presented current and future developments in digitalisation and ship analytics at Riviera Maritime Media’s Optimised Ship Forum in London on 10 December 2019.
Since then, CSM and CMMI have assembled a team of international experts who will investigate how to innovate with new products and services for shipping.
Digital Waves has been divided into three phases. The first phase involves strategic analysis of the main issues faced by maritime industry stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the present mode of operation.
The second phase will involve testing and implementation in real-time maritime environments. The final phase will be to develop digital products and solutions.
CSM has already invested in digitalisation for ship and fleet optimisation. Mr O’Neil presented at Riviera’s forum CSM’s Performance Optimisation Control Room (POCR), which provides 24/7 monitoring of its fleet. The POCR optimises operations in all areas of vessel safety, crew rotation and training, maintenance and fuel efficiency.
CMMI is an independent, international, scientific and business centre for research. CMMI chief executive Zacharias Siokouros said with €30M (US$33.3M) of funding from the European Union and Cyprus Government and €25M (US$27.2M) from partners and industry stakeholders, CMMI is ready to embark “on a voyage of exploration into the Sea of Big Data”.
He commented, “A voyage that promises a lot of opportunities, we have prepared its passage plan. Digital Waves is without a doubt an innovative project that will develop world-class solutions to address issues beyond the boundaries of our region.”
Riviera Maritime Media will host a series of Optimised Ship Forums in 2020 in Singapore, Rotterdam, Norway, Hamburg and London
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