Seatrade Maritime highlights role of human intelligence

Muscat: Is the maritime industry ready to embrace smart shipping, the topic is considered one of the most fiercely debated maritime topics. During the opening day of Seatrade Maritime Middle East 2018, the topic was discussed. The 9th edition of Seatrade Maritime Middle East 2018 took place between the October 29 and October 31, 2018, at Dubai World Trade Centre. Debating the question were two teams of leading industry figures, one led by Precious Shipping’s Managing Director Khalid Hashim and the other by René Kofod-Olsen, CEO of Topaz Energy and Marine. Hashim argued that the industry was not ready because necessary regulations governing the use of new technologies such as autonomous ships, artificial intelligence (AI) and the cyber risks involved all remained some way off. Supporting him was Ali Ahmad, Deputy CEO of Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC), who suggested that unlimited broadband at sea was still too “costly.” Leading the other team, Kofod-Olsen countered by saying that smart shipping as defined as digitalisation of the industry ‘is already here, and expected by everyone in the office and onboard ship,” he declared. Oskar Levander, Senior Vice-President for Concepts & Innovation at Rolls-Royce Marine, described smart shipping as a “very wide toolbox with something in it for everyone.” One highly advanced application is the remotely controlled, autonomous vessel, the first demonstration of which may be imminent, he hinted. Drew Brandy, Senior Vice-President of Market Strategy at Inmarsat Maritime, drew the parallel with smart phones, stating simply connectivity is the reality of the modern shipping industry. Seatrade Maritime Middle East (SMME) 2018, the biennial maritime meeting place for the Middle East in Dubai, brings together an impressive array of international and regional ship owners and operators, ports, financiers, and other maritime professionals to attract an overwhelming number of visitors to network, do business, strengthen and nurture new relationships. The exciting three-day event features an exhibition, product demonstrations, networking opportunities and industry seminars - all designed to increase awareness on the major trends and developments and their impacts on the market’s future at both regional and global levels. SMME 2018, an integral part of the UAE Maritime Week 2018, is hosting nearly 300 exhibitors from leading international maritime companies this year and is expected to attract over 8,000 visitors. The exhibition is also a platform to examine some of the recent challenges faced by the industry, through a lineup of seminars, panel discussions, and roundtables. The topics of these sessions cover autonomous shipping and automation, fuels of the future, digital and cyber technologies and environmental challenges within the shipping industry.