On a good day the result might be a more
efficient, more cost-effective business which is more rewarding for the people who work in the company “team”, on ships and in the office.
Making it happen – the SAC strategy If the DIGITAL revolution offers systems, automation and teamwork, how do you do it? The great thing about modern digital technology is that it is becoming increasingly flexible. You don’t have to build the mother of all systems; so companies can take it one step at a time. Te SAC strategy suggests splitting the task into three building blocks:- a. Standardise interfaces: standardisation across the industry is crucial in allowing systems to work together and the use of “plug in” components and electronics.
b. Automate operations: Tis is the action. Automate navigation; on board operations;
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and administration in compatible systems communicating between ships and shore. Band width and data speeds are key issues and are getting better7
.
c. Centralise Analysis: centralise data onshore (or in the cloud), define and analyse significant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) over time, human intervention to take corrective action when needed, provide comparative analysis across the fleet.
Is the change really compelling? Sir Ronald Swayne was right that change only happens in shipping when there is a compelling reason. Today the industry is compelled by regulators, big charterers, the prospect of more cargo and the people who work on the ships (but will not in future, if things don’t change). Tese pressures will not go away.
Tere are three reasons for going down
the SAC route, or something like it. Firstly automation will make company quality control systems work better, which is money in the bank. Secondly, as “expert” knowledge is incorporated in the system, it becomes easier to move bright employees from one job to another, bringing flexibility and career development. Thirdly the automation systems will encourage a teamwork culture between ship and shore and across the fleet. In fact the smart-shipping revolution is
not really about digital technology, it’s about people and how they will work together better in future to deliver 10 or maybe 20 billion tonnes of cargo. With shipping hardware running out of steam, can shipping companies afford not to give smart-shipping soſtware a shot? It won’t be easy, but shipping never is! NA
For example Iridium NEXT — Iridium’s second-generation global satellite constellation, due in 2015, will offer bandwidth closer to broadband speeds
The Naval Architect January 2015
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