The importance of innovation in improving maritime safety

At a recent industry event, experts gathered to discuss the critical role of innovation in enhancing maritime safety. The panel, featuring professionals from various sectors of the maritime industry, explored the challenges, opportunities, and future outlook for safety-focused innovation in shipping and port operations.

The need for innovation in maritime safety

Maurizio Pilu, Managing Director of SafetyTech Accelerator, emphasised that innovation, particularly in technology, is inevitable and unstoppable in the maritime sector. He highlighted two main types of innovation in safety:

1. Risk elimination through mechanical solutions
2. Information-based innovations that provide more data about operations and potential accidents

The panel agreed that while innovation is necessary and powerful, implementing it effectively can be challenging. One major barrier is the difficulty in evaluating the return on investment (ROI) for safety technologies, which can make it hard for innovators to sell their solutions to the industry.

Barriers to adoption

The maritime industry is known for its conservative approach to change, which can slow the adoption of new technologies. Neil Dalus, a risk assessment manager for TT Club, pointed out that the industry is at a crossroads, facing challenges such as energy transition, automation, and climate change adaptation. These factors may drive a cultural shift towards faster innovation adoption.

José Andrés Giménez, secretary general of TIC 4.0, highlighted the fragmented nature of the maritime sector as a barrier to innovation. He emphasised the need for standardisation to remove silos and enable more effective adoption of shared technologies across the supply chain.

Overcoming resistance

To overcome resistance to new technologies, the panel suggested several strategies:

1. Focus on technologies that offer both safety and productivity benefits
2. Encourage more experimentation and early testing
3. Watch for "tipping points" where not having certain technologies becomes hard to justify
4. Promote collaboration and sharing of experiences among industry players

Future outlook

Looking ahead, the panel identified several trends and technologies likely to shape the future of maritime safety:

1. Increased adoption of versatile technologies like data analytics and computer vision
2. Quick-win solutions that demonstrate immediate value
3. AI as an enabler for various safety applications
4. Wider integration of technology across all levels of organisations
5. Decreasing costs of advanced technologies, making them more accessible

Conclusion

Innovation in maritime safety is not just important; it's essential for the industry's future. While challenges remain, particularly in terms of adoption and proving ROI, the potential benefits are significant. As technology becomes more affordable and integrated into daily operations, the maritime sector is poised for a transformation that will enhance safety, efficiency, and productivity across the board.