Digitalisation is:
the process of integrating digital technologies into business processes to enhance and improve them.
The main goals of digitalisation in the maritime sector are:
- increase navigation safety
- reduce emissions
- provide economic advantages.
The industry is keen to introduce the next generation of technologies. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has acknowledged this in several documents. For example, the IMO e-Navigation strategy has been improving the safety and efficiency of shipping operations since 2008.
Increase safety
- navigational assistance data services
- increased situational awareness
- reduced human errors
Reduce emissions
- implementation of new requirements for carbon-free fuels
- traffic optimisation
- just-in-time arrival
Increase economic advantages
- increased efficiency
- real-time information
- reduced workload
- Environmental benefits through enhanced protection for Australia’s unique marine ecosystems
- Incident reduction in Australian waters through better navigational safety and traffic management
- Economic benefits by boosting Australia’s capacity to keep up with trends such as towards Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)
- Increased compliance with international legislation and recommendations (e.g., Maritime Single Window, e-Navigation)
Technical advances are going to drastically change the maritime industry in the next decade. Digitalisation is necessary for Australia to protect its marine eco-systems and stay competitive.
Digitalisation isn’t a process that simply replaces the old with the new.
Rather, digitalisation enhances existing infrastructure and processes.
