How smart ships set a course for the future

An accelerating convergence of new internet technologies means that ‘smart shipping’ has become the latest tech buzzword to do the rounds. In short, Smart Ships have become ‘a thing’, but what is Smart Shipping and why does the term amount to more than just jargon to fill cruise, ferry, offshore and cargo trade publications?

Digital shipping or ill-judged jargon?

Smart cars, smart meters, smart homes: if cutting-edge tech has a bad reputation, it’s because technology journalists are great at predicting things that eventually fail to happen or underwhelm us when they do. Smart or digital shipping is different; in fact, it has already begun. Put simply, smart ships are to the industry what full fibre broadband has become to the rest of the developed world – a pivotal technology that will change the way the industry does business.

Capture a Vessel’s Real Time Data

We will deal with the technologies and how they can be used in the posts that follow, but briefly, smart shipping offers the following advantages to shipping operators.

• Cost reductions on vessels and in port
• Fuel Savings
• Predictive Maintenance
• Vessel Tracking
• Enhanced Cyber Security
• Passenger experience and management for ferries and cruise ships

In its simplest form, a smart ship uses network and communications technologies to report the status of its systems to shore using a dedicated data link. But Smart Ships are more than just better-connected and networked ships phoning home. A truly smart ship integrates telemetry, navigation, communications and systems monitoring into a single system.

Now that Telenor Maritime has acquired Finnish tech firm KNL, the single system smart ship is a step closer to reality. KNL’s solution of worldwide data access for offshore and maritime industries through a secure mesh radio network represents the first step in the evolution of affordable digitisation of the industry.

Since 2002 and with clients operating every kind of marine enterprise, Telenor Maritime’s experience as a global marine communications provider has given us the practical insight that helps us know what technology works and what will work better for cruise, ferry, offshore, fisheries and cargo fleet operators the world over. With the acquisition of KNL Networks comes a new approach to the smart ship – an end-to-end integration of all elements involved in vessel digitisation. Telenor Maritime have become a one-stop shop for smart shipping.

To find out how to make data-driven decisions, improve efficiency, gain competitive advantage, and work towards a greener, more sustainable future, or to book a live demonstration, email maa@telenormaritime.com