The
international shipping industry has always been technology driven from the
earliest of times. Ship design and construction, machinery and equipment, cargo
handling, navigation and communications, efficient ship operations, safety and
environmental considerations, computerization and automation, well-educated and
trained manpower (ship and shore) etc. are in a continuous state of development
to keep abreast of technology. In recent times, the major difference is the
speed at which technology is advancing.
Technology
development is accelerating and will continue to do so. It is strongly
indicated that the phase of technological development
will not slow down any time soon, nor will the trend towards the increasingly
integrated nature of technology applications reverse. While the technology revolutions
are extensive it will plan out differently in commercial shipping, naval and to
ocean space sectors. In this regard, we congratulate and compliment the
collaborative project between Llyod’s Register, QuinetiQ and the University of
Southampton which has resulted in the release and publication of their study,
namely, “Global Marine Technology Trends, 2030” (GMTT 2030). Some of the highlights
of the study are given below.
The marine
technology of 2030 will integrate developments from multiple scientific
disciplines in ways that would transform the design, construction and operation
of commercial ships, naval assets, & ocean space equipment and systems.
So within
fifteen years, we may indeed see what they describe as “TechnoMax” ships
emerging from shipyards, packed with new materials, sophisticated systems,
chattering away to their owners’ offices with floods of Big Data and able to
deliver more precision and efficiency.
“Technomax
ships” will require fundamental changes in terms of design, construction,
operation and supply chain management. These ships will be smarter, data
driven, greener, with flexible powering options, fully connected wireless
onboard, digitally connected through global satellites.
On advances in propulsion
and powering; it includes future engines alternative fuels, propulsion energy
saving devices, renewable sources of energy, hybrid power generation, emissions
abatement, combustion mapping, heat flows, remote monitoring of new,
intelligent engines, etc.
The overall
efficiency of the propulsion plant will be enhanced with the use of new
materials, such as grapheme and its alloys, in heat exchangers and condenser
piping. This will improve the overall thermal efficiency and will reduce
maintenance and chemical dosing.
Advanced
materials, including future composites, nano-impregnated metals, new alloys and
substances with biologically- inspired protection, including self-repairing
materials.
While metal will
continue to dominate ship building, the emergence of alternatives with high
strength to weight ratios will offer the opportunity of better fuel economy and
higher cargo capacity.
The ship
building industry in 2030 will feature higher levels of automation,
high-fidelity design software integration, human- computer interfaces, etc.
These advances will further bring about developments in ships structures, hull
forms, and ability to optimize different loading conditions, speed profiles and
reduced ballast to reduce the effect of marine invasive species.
Enhanced big
data analytics, driven by communications and sensor improvements will lead to
different approaches to decision making, asset management, condition monitoring
and surveying. Use of autonomous robotics and remote controlled robots are
further areas of development.
The above
developments of technology and “technomax” ships by 2030 will require the
shipping industry to gear up for the fast approaching changes, develop new
skills and re-train shore and fleet personnel.
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