The top five trends in maritime technologies in 2024

Cyber security bolstered after global attacks 

With more ships connected to shore through satellites and digitalisation, there is a greater need for pumped up cyber security to prevent ships being targeted and threats infiltrating onboard networks.

The vast majority of cyber attacks and malware are held back by firewalls, antivirus software and other secure fences, but the vast number of attempts and ingenuity of cyber criminals means inevitably some will get through. When they do, shipowners, managers, operators, crew and shore staff, plus port authorities, terminal operators, insurers, flag states and registries must be prepared. But they will not all be ready for the attacks that are coming in 2024.

Security experts are constantly tackling the barrage of cyber attacks on infrastructure, networks, IT, computers and mobile devices – there are so many and many are not reported, let alone admitted.

Attacks and threats come from state actors, rogue states, criminals, opportunists, youthful hopefuls and unhappy ex employees. They can be malware, ransomware and ramped up to full-blown devastating viruses, worms and trojan horses.

It is likely in 2024 that cyber security will not keep up with developments in threats and one day a criminal will get more than just valuable information on passengers, cargo, ports and senior shipping staff. They will want more than to just shut down IT networks and freeze servers – they will want the ship.

Connected ships with ECDIS linked to the internet make it possible for hackers to enter a ship’s navigation system and take over the helm. Or they could just jam or spoof the GPS or other positioning system.

Once in full control, they could cause a ship crash or ground or take it to another port or destination – perhaps use its size to close a major port or important sipping lane and infrastructure.

To prevent this scenario, ship operational technology needs to be fully segregated from the IT. Those on board – including crew, vendors, OEMs, integrators, port and class inspectors, etc, need to be trained to not use memory sticks, which could host viruses or malware.

Shipowners need to go beyond IMO cyber risk management requirements and invest in full packages of enhanced cyber threat detection, security and response solutions.

They need specially designed insurance packages and on-call services to assist if there is a security risk or breach and recovery is required.

Cyber risk and security is global and indiscriminate. What starts as a state-backed attack on infrastructure can lead to the closure of ports and terminals, destruction of shipping company networks and IT, loss of information and drive owners back to the stone age in terms of communications.

AI takes centre stage in optimisation

Computers are learning how to run different aspects of maritime systems and could one day in theory become a shipping company without human intervention.

Science fiction is steadily becoming reality with artificial intelligence (AI) becoming more involved in ship operations, voyage planning and optimisation. Machine learning and AI are becoming part of ship reporting with data going through algorithms for cleaning, trending and benchmarking.

Automated reports are generated on ships and transmitted to shore for environmental reporting and regulatory compliance. But this is just the tip of what is possible.

At one of the main shipping events in 2023, the opening presentation was created entirely by AI with an actor providing the on-stage presence. It is an example of how AI is becoming part of maritime life.

Potential uses of AI are faster data processing to provide greater insights to seafarers for safer navigation, for predictive maintenance and better crew training.

AI could be used to optimise vessel operations and to reduce emissions and fuel costs for owners. It optimises voyages for the greatest efficiency, but there are questions whether this leads to safety risks in adverse weather and sea conditions.

Voyages can be optimised for just-in-time port arrival and enhanced management of port infrastructure and services, such as tugboat and pilot scheduling. It will enable shipping to adopt fully digitalised arrivals and departures within green corridors.

AI could also generate value-added services and business opportunities, with owners able to install sensors on vessels to map and survey seabed and marine environments in and around ports, in shipping lanes and in coastal waters during their voyages.

This information would be valuable to ports, governments, hydrographic offices and environmental agencies and organisations, thus generating new revenue streams for owners.

Remote control and autonomous ships

Technology already enables remote operations, services and assistance on ships and other vessel types. Crew can use smart glasses and connectivity to converse with shore-based experts for maintenance.

Class societies and other survey and inspection services can perform these activities remotely with support from seafarers, for example for annual bridge equipment and dynamic positioning system surveys.

Ship communications and developments in AI are enabling more remote solutions and shore-based assistance in increasing areas. The maritime industry is gradually introducing remote ship operations, starting in the offshore industry where unmanned vessels are conducting seabed surveys for cable and pipeline routes.

Companies behind these surface drones admit geotechnical drilling will need manned ships, but there is more demand for unmanned vessels for other surveys.

There are a few demonstration ships where crew remain on board, but computers navigate them on shortsea routes. More of these projects are coming to fruition and are enabling shipowners to fully test their capabilities and aim for unmanned ships.

Autonomous ships will sail around non-congested seas with a minimal crew on board for maintenanc, emergency intervention and support. These ships will be remotely monitored from shore centres, providing intervention where required to prevent incidents.

AI is enabling autonomous navigation through hazard detection and avoidance, preventing collisions and using ECDIS for voyage information and automatic identification system (AIS) for identifying other vessels to avoid.

Digitalisation and IoT provides data and information to onboard computers and to remote support and operating centres over satellite communications or mobile networks if close to coastlines, all with redundancy in case of an issue. Cyber security provides the assurance that these are infallible systems.

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