Maritime industry boosts digitalization

Maritime industry boosts digitalization
Genivi Factao November 25, 2020 https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/11/25/business/maritime-business/mariti...

The global shipping industry has accelerated its digitalization during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and smaller vessels were stepping up their game to stay competitive.

A recent study by Ocean Insights showed that 42 percent of businesses in the freight industry would change their supply chain strategies due to the pandemic, while 67 percent of them said technology plays a major role in doing so.

IEC Telecom, one of the leading international providers of satellite communications services saw that the maritime sector has turned to digital solutions due to a range of logistical challenges that encompass ports, vessel surveys, supply chain matters, and crew communications.

”With a digitalized world now inevitable, the digital economy has grown two and a half times faster than the global gross domestic product (GDP) over the past 15 years. It is now worth $11.5 trillion globally, equivalent to 15.5 percent of the global GDP. The global digital transformation market is predicted to grow to $1,009.8 billion by 2025,” IEC Telecom said.

Nabil Ben Soussia, CEO of Asia, Middle East & CIS at IEC Telecom Group saw significantly higher demand for digital solutions in light of the new International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, that come into effect on January 2021, which require vessel operators to ensure the onboard cybersecurity of connected ships.

The maritime industry, particularly those belonging to the small vessels sector faced the challenge of going digital.

“Globally, the small boat sector has evolved steadily over recent years and is forecasted to grow at 7% by 2024 to become a $13.8 billion industry. The Asia-Pacific region has a proliferation of smaller vessels, particularly those supporting its growing offshore oil and gas sector,” IEC said.

IEC Telecom said its partner Thuraya, the leading global satellite operator offers affordable digitalization for all vessel types via a new joint solution. Both companies worked to offer affordable quality Satcom technology to smaller vessels with limited onboard space. The cutting-edge technology, called Orion Edge V enables a VSAT-like communications experience over L-band with access to a cloud-based system offering a wide range of telecom services.

“I am delighted to announce that this level of virtualized digital connectivity, incorporating advanced cybersecurity features, is now available to smaller vessels. For maritime and offshore businesses, digital connectivity represents the future, and we are pleased to announce that the future is available now!” he said.

Jassem Nasser, chief strategy & marketing officer at Thuraya Telecommunications said; “In these difficult times, flexibility is key. You need to be able to adapt quickly to business requirements with agile solutions. Orion Edge V operates using a combination of Thuraya’s Orion IP broadband and the MarineStar circuit-switch voice terminals, which provides a compact connectivity digital solution that can easily be transferred to another vessel if needed.”

“This agile product gives you the confidence to be in control of costs while benefiting from all that is possible through digital communications now and for years to come,” it said.

Both IEC Telecom and Thuraya supported the small vessels, by offering Orion Edge V with flexible tariff plans and an option of free hardware for project-based subscriptions. It enables fleet managers to get their vessel connected with zero capital investment in a short period.