At the Tomorrow Show 2024, Kongsberg Digital and industry leaders gathered to confront the complex challenges facing the maritime sector. With a landscape shaped by stringent regulations and the urgent need for sustainability, the discussions highlighted how technological advancements, particularly in AI and digital tools, can drive significant operational improvements. However, the emphasis was clear: the success of these technologies hinges on effectively integrating the human element into digital transformation efforts.
Among the key speakers were Pia Meling, Managing Director of Grieg Green and Chair of the Board at ReFlow; Roger Trinterud, Chief Growth Officer at Massterly; Thomas Lynge, Fleet Management System Manager at Uni-Tankers; and Haavard Oestensen, Chief Commercial Officer at Kongsberg Digital. They illustrated how empowering crews and enhancing decision-making processes can transform operational efficiencies in an industry often plagued by knowledge isolation.
The maritime industry has long struggled with siloed operations, where knowledge and decision-making are often confined to individual ships or departments. This isolation leads to inefficiencies, missed opportunities for collaboration, and inconsistent performance across fleets. Both Pia Meling and Thomas Lynge emphasised the need to dismantle these silos to drive operational efficiency.
"Today, you have one captain on one ship, another captain on another ship, and they don’t learn from each other... This knowledge is in silos," Meling explained, highlighting the necessity for integrated communication and data sharing across fleets.
She pointed out that these operational silos prevent crews from leveraging collective experiences. "We have this huge shortage of skilled crew," Meling remarked, emphasising that this challenge, coupled with the increasing complexity of vessels, complicates operations. Bridging these gaps through technology is vital for transitioning to new fuels and enhancing crew competence.
Lynge reinforced the importance of breaking down silos, by giving examples Uni-Tankers has experienced as an organisation explaining they have moved from isolated decision-making to a system where all ships benefit from a single source of truth. This integration not only enhances operational effectiveness but also aligns with sustainability goals. “This will bring challenges, but also rewards” Lynge asserts, advocating for a data-driven approach that connects ESG strategies.
To achieve true operational efficiency, Lynge stressed the importance of collaboration across all departments and alignment with commercial goals, highlighting the need to share knowledge and data or risk missing opportunities for improvement and innovation.
While technological advancements are crucial, the human element remains fundamental in the maritime industry. Thomas Lynge highlighted that the involvement of seafarers is key to successful digital transformation where human involvement remains critical in data validation and decision-making. Lynge stressed that the effective implementation of digital solutions hinges on crew participation. Lynge asserted the need to educate and engage seafarers in the data process, by raising their awareness of the practical benefits of accurate reporting, and in turn motivate them to contribute effectively.
He acknowledged the complexities arising from the shortage of skilled crew members, with increased demands on crew competence and training. Ensuring crews are equipped with the right skills is essential for adapting to evolving technologies and maintaining operational safety.
As the industry adopts new technologies, the human factor remains essential. In the panel discussions, Pia Meling pointed out the growing complexity of ships and the shortage of skilled crew members. Meling highlighted that crews are becoming less knowledgeable in many ways and are experiencing significant stress due to reporting burdens.
Haavard Oestensen, Chief Commercial Officer at Kongsberg Digital, echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for AI and digital tools to support human capabilities. "AI can help you stand up the alternatives when you're making a decision. It can help you elevate the right data into the right context," he explained. By leveraging AI to handle routine reporting tasks, the maritime industry can free up crews to focus on higher-level decision-making, ultimately improving both operational efficiency and decision quality.
As Roger Trinterud from Massterly highlighted, with the implementation of AI-powered situational awareness systems, autonomous vessels like the Yara Birkeland are already operational, demonstrating the tangible progress in this field. Trinterud, a leader in autonomous maritime innovation, outlined how the Yara Birkeland, the world’s first zero-emission, fully autonomous container ship, is setting a new industry standard. With no need for onboard crew, the vessel’s advanced digital infrastructure is driving significant reductions in both emissions and operational risk while improving safety and efficiency in previously unattainable ways.
Trinterud explained autonomous shipping is no longer a theoretical discussion, highlighting the technology is live and transforming the way we operate, reducing human error, enhancing safety, and delivering meaningful reductions in emissions.
Their situational awareness technology facilitates real-time decision-making, allowing vessels to respond dynamically to operational conditions, optimising efficiency, and establishing a new benchmark for sustainable maritime operations.
Trinterud also emphasised the importance of the human element in this new paradigm, noting how 3D modeling and simulation play a critical role in preparing crew members for their future responsibilities. He explained while the physical presence of crew members on vessels may decrease, their expertise is invaluable in control centers where they monitor and manage these autonomous systems. This shift allows operators to focus on strategic decision-making, leveraging advanced data visualisation and simulation tools to enhance operational oversight.
As the maritime industry navigates the complexities of digital transformation, it is clear that the integration of technology must go hand-in-hand with empowering the human workforce. The discussions at the Tomorrow Show underscored the importance of breaking down operational silos and fostering collaboration across departments. By prioritising the human element—equipping seafarers with the skills they need to leverage digital tools effectively—the industry can enhance decision-making quality, operational efficiency, and sustainability outcomes. Moreover, with advancements in autonomous shipping and AI capabilities, the potential to reshape maritime operations is greater than ever.
