Autonomous shipping is more than a decade away, according to most respondents of a new smart shipping survey.
Some 41% of those questioned by Seatrade Maritime News thought that the ‘unmanned vessel’ was some years away although a sizeable minority – 35% – thought it would arrive in between five and 10 years’ time.
Seatrade Maritime News has published a White Paper about the issue, which echoes our own article of November 2016 published in Shipping and Marine.
Our Managing Director Captain Malcolm W Parrott explored the potential for vessels of the future – from autonomous shipping with ‘transparent hulls’ and mastless decks to drone operator radar and holographic command centres.
He concluded: “Time – and tide – wait for no man or woman.
“Pushing the boundaries with visionary and innovative thinking and cutting edge technology has to be the way forward whatever the sector.
“It is tempting to think the future has arrived but many of our visions for 2166 or even 2066 are really based on the most advanced technology of today – or what we can conceive as the technology of tomorrow – rather than the actual demands of the future.
“Are these realistic visions? Only time will tell; vessels of 2066 or 2166 may well look as alien to us as ships of today would look to mariners of a hundred years ago.”
With the rise of AI, machine learning, disruptive technology and the Internet of Things, technology is inevitably going to impact on the maritime sector.
At TMG we remain informed about the latest developments while continuing to draw on our many years of professional experience to provide the highest-quality services.
Read Malcolm’s article here and visit Seatrade Maritime News for more details about the White paper here.
China will remain the driving force behind growth in shipping markets in 2018, according to BIMCO.
An article in Seatrade Maritime reports that BIMCO expects to see continued improvement in dry bulk and containers markets with potential for an uplift in the tanker sector.
BIMCO analyst Peter Sand is reported as attributing the growth to China – particularly its ‘enormous manufacturing sector’ which is driving exports of containerized goods.
The story also features some interesting statistics about 2017 and previews 2018 with the hope of the sector ‘returning to profitability for the first time since 2011’ although much is in the hands of ship owners.
TMG’s expert professionals have many years of experience in maritime business, including shipping. With genuine worldwide reach – including Asia – TMG can advise and support whatever the enterprise.
Read the full article about BIMCO’s 2018 preview on Seatrade Maritime here.
Contact TMG on info@the-maritime-group.com and on +44 (800) 955 1792 or its 24-hour line +1 (260) 225 5864.
(Picture – Pixabay)
We’ve carried out a pivotal assessment review of the tugboat operations in the new third set of NeoPanamax locks of the $5.25 billion Expanded Panama Canal and made other operational observations.
We were instructed by Autoridad del Canal de Panama (Panama Canal Authority – ACP) with a brief to focus on Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) procedures.
ACP accepted our findings in early September 2017 and is now considering any modifications to its procedures and the optimization of its schedules.
Our Managing Director, Captain Malcolm W Parrott said: “We were selected after a highly competitive international bidding process for our depth of experience and expertise in all aspects of the study including shipping, operations and safety procedures.
“Our findings will contribute to a quicker, more efficient and safer operation on the canal for the benefits of ACP’s shipping company, military and leisure customers as well as their employees and suppliers.
“That fact that ACP decided to invest in this project demonstrates that it is a forward thinking organisation with a focus on its staff.
“It was a pleasure to work with all at ACP and we are now discussing working together on future projects for this pre-eminent waterway.”
Our team of experts, included Captain M W Parrott, Captain Orlando Allard the ex-Chief Pilot of the Panama Canal and Captain John R Freestone, the ex-Chief Pilot of the Port of London Authority.
The team spent a considerable time in Panama transiting the canal and both new and old locks aboard transiting vessels and assisting ACP tugboats.
They held lengthy interviews and meetings with all canal stakeholders and spent time at ACP’s world class training facilities at the new ship handling lake at Summit and simulators and training facilities at SIDMAR.
The team was led professionally by John P Crummie, ex managing director of DFDS Seaways, assisted by Kevin W Hawes, TMG’s Business Development Director.
Contribution was also made by Captain Ashwani Singhania from our newly registered company in Singapore -The Maritime Group (Asia), showing the true international diversity and reach of TMG.
For benchmarking purposes TMG professionals gathered operational data and information from other port operations experienced in handling NeoPanamax size vessels using tugsboats in UK and European ports.
Stephen Canning, a senior manager from our strategic partner Peter Brett Associates (PBA), provided key analytical support to our efforts.
Captain John M Cox, president of The Maritime Group, Inc. in the USA, an ex Panama Canal pilot also contributed his expertise.
Panama Canal Administrator, Jorge L Quijano said: “TMG’s high standards and aspiration for excellence match our own.
“This study will play a major role as we continue to expand capacity in a sustainable and safe way, whilst also helping to drive international trade and prosperity.”
ACP is an autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal.