At Inmarsat’s recent ‘Thriving in the Digital Age’ seminar in Singapore, maritime leaders shared how advanced connectivity is transforming the industry. From AI-managed hydroponics to real-time safety oversight, the “floating office” is no longer a concept but a growing reality — one that is driving safer, more efficient, and sustainable operations at sea.
Ship-to-Shore Data Aligns Safety and Efficiency
Sakura Kuma, Executive Officer of MOL, highlighted how shipboard sensors—over 10,000 per vessel—feed into MOL’s DarWin system and its Safety Operation Supporting Centre (SOSC) in Tokyo. This real-time data on weather, engine, and cargo conditions eliminates the need for manual reporting and ensures synchronized decision-making between ship and shore. This, she said, is a “game changer” for both safety and operational efficiency, particularly as MOL transitions to alternative fuels.
Connectivity Unlocks New Use Cases with Commercial Impact
Wilhelmsen’s Nakul Malhotra stressed that digitalisation must be both safe and commercially viable. Reliable high-bandwidth connectivity has made previously “improbable” applications, like real-time IoT data, suddenly practical. “If there isn’t a commercial value proposition, it doesn’t move forward,” he added.
AI-Powered Innovations Onboard Ships
Andrew Hoad of Synergy Marine offered a novel example: onboard hydroponics controlled remotely by AI. “We’re growing food on ships—impossible without broadband and AI,” he noted. He also described how generative AI is streamlining voyage planning, allowing officers to interact with PCs to quickly access insights and solutions. “What took eight to ten hours is now done in one.”
Global Dialogue Continues
The “Thriving in the Digital Age” series continues at Bari-Ship in Japan and Nor-Shipping in Oslo, where maritime leaders will further explore how connectivity is transforming fleet management, operational decision-making, and seafarer welfare.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: gCaptain
