Marine solutions & technology trends 2021
The maritime sector has long been one that relies upon age-old traditions and customs, but in 2021, marine industries are becoming more and more reliant on new technology. Tracking and communication technologies are essential for managing cargo shipments, while other technological innovations new to the field are streamlining shipments and boosting safety onboard.
Let’s take a look at some of the most transformative marine solutions that are being adopted by various marine sectors including shipping, leisure, and naval vessels. The potential for these technologies to transform these industries is huge, with almost limitless potential to increase efficiency in the future.
Smart shipping
Shipping is a global business that relies on complex logistics and supply chains. Cargo management software can let shippers manage inventory, delivery dates, and shipment destinations from one platform.
Smart shipping, which refers to unmanned ships that are inbuilt with autonomous technology, is the latest trend, with almost 10% of new builds being smart ships. Modern smart ships will use cutting-edge technology to monitor weather and environmental conditions and carry out advanced decision-making to improve efficiency, compliance, and safety.
Faster, better communication
Ships and maritime vessels have been using technology to communicate with other vessels and land teams for decades. Today’s ships use very-high frequency (VHF) radio waves, satellites, and WiFi to communicate increasing volumes of data at an ever-growing speed.
The introduction of 5G and new generations of satellites is going to further improve communication between ships, as well as between stakeholders and vessels. Live video and audio monitoring can now be used to keep track of the status of ships remotely, while radio-frequency identification (RFID) can be used to support asset management throughout the life of a vessel.
Accurate, reliable sensors
Sensor technology has come a long way in the last decade. Today, a single sensor can monitor a variety of parameters, including location and environmental data. Real-time monitoring and data analysis can not only be used to improve efficiency in commercial shipping but can also be used to improve operational effectiveness and extend the average lifespan of a shipping vessel.
In addition to monitoring onboard sensors remotely from land, new satellite navigation systems are able to pinpoint the precise location of vessels anywhere in the world using GPS or other tracking methods. With this increased accuracy comes increased reliability: if an error does occur with these new sensors, it’s much easier for ship operators to determine where they should go next.
What’s coming next?
Marine technology is advancing every year. We can expect to see continued advancement in digital monitoring, satellite navigation, and data analysis which will increase the reliability of ship operators across the globe, boosting both profitability and value of marine services. It’s important for marine officers and shipping managers to keep up with the latest technology to ensure they remain competitive in a changing market.
How we can help
At Bayanat Engineering, we deliver tailored marine solutions using cutting-edge IT and technology to improve efficiency, safety, and quality of air and marine transportation systems. We can design and supply sensors, communication systems, and tracking systems to marine vessels for use in naval, commercial, leisure, and energy sectors. To find out more about how we can help bring your fleet up to speed, contact us today.