Maritime 2030 – how will innovative technology influence the shipbuilding industry?
10.06.2016
According to Global Marine Technology Trends, 18 innovative technical solutions will have a significant impact on maritime design, energetic resources used in the sector, and the exploitation of the oceanic environment.
GMTT analyzed 56 innovative ideas and came up to the conclusion that 18 out of them will strongly influence the shipbuilding industry in the next several years. Two areas of interest have been identified: one is related to the design and construction and the other focuses on commercial and operational performance.
New innovative materials will replace the standard ones that are generally used for shipbuilding purposes
GMTT reports that even so metal will continue to be a dominant part of any vessel’s structure, there is a possibility of improving its quality and characteristics through processing it while using micro- and nano-technologies.
For instance integrating magnesium and calcium nano-particles might improve the quality of welding operations. Furthermore, using new anticorrosive technologies are supposed to offer a better protection of the vessel, in the end.
There is a possibility that some shipping companies might decide to improve the sustainability and consumption of oil while using components made out of highly resistant steel, aluminum, glass fiber and carbon fiber.
BIG data
As long as a lot of information is collected through various sources and it’s related to series of topics (oceanography, maritime accidents, personalized information, etc) there is a clear necessity to sort and analyze it for optimizing the maritime operations.
Even so the informational advantages are evident, the cyber-security and data protection are still sensitive subjects. Under such circumstances a massive development of security systems is envisioned.
Less human involvement in high-risk production processes
One of the most discussed topics refers to the use of industrial robots on a large scale. According to GMTT until 2030 three new types of robots will be used in the shipbuilding industry: the ones for merchandise manipulation, those for production operations and some for inspections.
Connecting the robots with Big Data and The Internet of Things will significantly reduce the level of human interaction with processes that imply a high degree of risks.
Wireless monitoring
Using sensors during data collection and analyzes will definitely have a huge influence on the shipbuilding industry.
The process will allow ship-owners to improve the maintenance of their vessels. Due to sensors, the identification of those components that might need repair or replacement will become easier than ever.
New communication systems
The development of communication system from WiFi to 5G will allow ship operators to get live access to audio, HD or 3D information right on board. The physical testing of the ship while in shipyard for taking decisions related to repair works or control will not be mandatory anymore.
New energetic resources
Research and development works for alternative fuel plus the innovation of equipment will make possible saving relevant energetic consumptions and the possibility of working while using regenerative resources.
According to GMTT the challenge here will not only be environmental related but also commercially.
Testing new technologies such as the diesel electric engine or the hybrid engine is supposed to start soon, firstly on small vessels that are designed to travel on short distances.
The tendency to use such alternative solutions in the shipbuilding industry will increase especially on submarines area.
All these innovations will significantly change the way in which the industry will explore, monitor and interact with the rest of the environment. From the commercial point of view it is expected that using such new equipment will be mainly destined to mining operations or those related to the oil and gas industry.
