THE maritime industry is approaching the 5th Industrial Revolution, with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) enhancing safety, efficiency, and the human element in shipping, according to the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).
Christopher Wiernicki, chairman and CEO of ABS, emphasized the importance of understanding the key variables shaping the global maritime landscape.
“Maritime 5.0 will be defined by the ever-expanding capabilities of AI, driving our complex industry to be safer, more efficient, and more optimized while emphasizing the increasing importance of the human element,” he said.
The LNG carrier Marvel Swallow. PHOTO FROM MOL
Wiernicki described the maritime sector as a vast, interconnected system where challenges in one area of the logistical chain can have cascading effects throughout the network.
He cited the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions as examples that have exposed vulnerabilities in the maritime supply chain, underscoring the need for resilience and adaptability.
“To navigate Maritime 5.0, we must consider innovation and technology, recognizing that safety is now more than just compliance. It is synonymous with security, reliability, collective relationships, and people,” he stated.
The transformation within the shipping industry is fueled by innovations in naval architecture, green technology and digital solutions.
Wiernicki noted that adopting a fully digital operating model will fundamentally redefine safety.
“Safety going forward will not be defined as just the absence of accidents but as the new equation of capacity and capability over demand,” he explained.
This equation incorporates systems thinking, well-trained personnel, and the use of digital tools in the numerator, while the denominator reflects the complexities of evolving decarbonization trajectories and a rapidly changing technological environment.
“Our future safety protection frontier is defined as the point where capacity and capability equal demand, making safety increasingly synonymous with cybersecurity and reliability,” he added.
Wiernicki concluded, “To solve these equations, we must adopt a convergent mindset that integrates two perspectives: one encompassing technical feasibility, economic viability, and social responsibility, while the other considers national economic, energy, and security strategies. With the right approach and by monitoring our progress, we can prepare for Maritime 5.0.”
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