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NEW VENUE | NEW FORMAT | NEW IDEAS | NEW OPPORTUNITIES | NEW ERA

Our industry is going through a period of disruption bordering on turmoil. With the regulatory tsunami, accelerated technological development, automation, satcomms, and the demands of Millennials and Generation Z the shipping industry is encountering change in an unprecedented fashion.

Some companies are embracing this phase, seeing it as an opportunity to differentiate themselves from the herd. Yet some people continue to embrace the rhetoric of “The shipping industry is a slow mover” or “The shipping industry doesn’t change”, or that old maritime reference “It’s like turning the Titanic around.”

But change is inevitable, and we MUST adapt or it will be forced upon us. I ask you— would you rather manage your change or have the inevitable done TO you?

The signs are all around us. We are already seeing the likes of Amazon and Alibaba entering the maritime logistics arena. As I said in a recent interview, they are the premier logistics experts who will use our services as long as we meet their expectations for efficiency and cost effectiveness. If we don’t, however, they will take it on, throwing massive resources into crafting our marine transportation system to meet the demands of the present and future, not the past.

The other demand for change will come from Millennials and Generation Z , who will only enter our world on their terms. That means connectivity, digitalization and flexibility. Despite the jokes, they are not afraid of hard work, but they do get frustrated by not having the latest and most efficient tools.

So why don’t we pivot away from the tired rhetoric and focus on how we can take ownership of the changes taking place?

Keep optimizing,

Carleen

• Interview with Alexander Soukhanov, Director of Moran Cyber
• Automation
• Sulphur 2020
• Cyber Security
• Ballast Water
• Blockchain
• Fuel Alternatives
• Satellite Communications
• SHIPPINGInsight Updates

Landmark shipping automation study suggests seafarer numbers will double by 2040

2019-01-16 – For all the fear crew have about their jobs being lost to automation, a new 170-page report from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the World Maritime University (WMU) suggests that the global seafarer workforce will actually double in size by 2040. . . READ MORE

Total: Shipping is Not Ready for IMO 2020

2019-01-15 – The head of Total Marine Fuels is concerned that the shipping industry is not ready to implement the IMO 2020 sulfur rule next January, despite years of warnings. . . READ MORE

Cyber Joins Business Interruption as Leading Global Risk

2019-01-15 – In the wake of mega data breaches and privacy scandals, major IT outages and the introduction of tighter data protection rules in the European Union and other countries, cyber risk is now a core concern for businesses in 2019 and beyond. . . READ MORE

BWMC implementation: The time for delays and denial is over

2019-01-15 – Mr. Mark Riggio, President of the Ballastwater Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (BEMA) talks about the current challenges toward BWMC implementation, highlighting that the deadline for a BWTS installation expires, thus the sooner they start planning, the better. As explained, more than 80% of the world’s fleet by tonnage flies the flag of an Administration signatory to the Convention. That means for each of these ships, starting in September 2019, when their IOPP renewal is done, they will need to install a BWTS, therefore having a plan in place is crucial.  In this regard, BEMA aims to help by rebuilding the trust between manufacturers and the shipping industry and provide a unified voice and technical support to facilitate compliance. . . READ MORE

Shipping’s black box gets blockchain upgrade

2019-01-18 – The voyage data recorder (VDR) – shipping’s black box – could become a blockchain box with news from Singapore of a landmark agreement to take this vital data to a distributed ledger. . . READ MORE

IBM works on blockchain solution to improve supply chain transparency

2019-01-18 – MineHub Technologies (MineHub) and IBM will collaborate to use blockchain technology in order to improve operational efficiencies, logistics and financing and reduce costs in the mineral concentrates supply chain. . . READ MORE

Nuclear Propulsion Along Inland Waterways

2019-01-19 – Using mobile thermal storage batteries, small numbers of micro-scale nuclear reactors at fixed locations could provide propulsive energy for fleets of vessels that sail along inland waterways as well as railway locomotives used for shunting at terminals or short line railway service. Relevant developments have occurred in fixed location thermal storage, mobile thermal storage and engine technology that combined, could offer cost-competitive maritime propulsion. . . READ MORE

USCG Arctic Satellites aim to Add Margin of Safety

2019-01-21 – The U.S. Coast Guard’s mission of keeping the seas safe will soon get an additional boost from space with two polar satellites. The two satellites, called “cube satellites” or “cubesats” for their small size of about 60 square centimeters, or a little under 2 feet, will be part of a payload on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California Nov. 28. Although the Coast Guard has used satellite technology for years, these two are the first to be entirely dedicated to a Coast Guard mission. . . READ MORE