The importance of digital infrastructures for the maritime industry was the focus of the latest HANSA Lounge, which was held yesterday with Inmarsat at the International Maritime Museum in Hamburg.
Under the title “Beyond the Digital Horizon: Speed, Technology, and Long-Term Value”, representatives and experts from shipping companies and the maritime services industry provided insights into the opportunities and challenges of modern ship connectivity on Wednesday afternoon.
Focus on five key factors
The panel talk focused on the so-called “5Cs”, five fields of action that should be decisive for the digital transformation of shipping: Crew Welfare, Cyber Security, Certainty & Consistency, Coverage and Creating Business Value. They range from a stable internet supply for the crew to cyber security and the development of new business models through digital services.
The panel participants included Guido Försterling, Member of the Board at Sloman Neptun, Nils Aden, Managing Director of the Harren Group, Dennis Winterswijk, Regional Director Inmarsat Maritime, and Svante Einarsson, Cyber Security Advisory at DNV. The panel was moderated by Janne Silden (hansa.news.global).
Skepticism about the use of AI for more crew welfare
While Nils Aden emphasized the opportunities offered by AI, Försterling was more cautious when it came to crew welfare. “The work of colleagues on board is changing. Even chief engineers are now turning to ChatGPT with questions. That’s not really what we want,” he said. With regard to life on board, he added: “There used to be more interaction among the crew. Today, many retreat to their cabins instead of playing cards in the mess.” At the same time, he also sees positive aspects: “On the other hand, it makes the world more social because employees can stay in touch.”
Cyber security as a key issue
Aden warned of increasing risks in the area of cyber security: “As connectivity on board increases, so does vulnerability. The gap is much bigger today than it was ten years ago. Regulation alone will not be enough here.” At the same time, he emphasized: “It is hardly possible to make a concrete prediction for ten years. But the development will be much bigger, faster and more comprehensive than we can imagine today. AI will not disappear – on the contrary: it will become even more widespread.”
Winterswijk also made cyber defence an issue: “We make sure that our services are secure,” he emphasized. At the same time, the Inmarsat expert was surprised at the low level of awareness of the problem in the industry: “It never ceases to amaze me how many shipowners and managers still have a very narrow view of the world.” With regard to attacks, he made it clear: “We at Inmarsat are also exposed to attacks every day – and we have to fend them off.”
Einarsson emphasized that increasing connectivity is inevitable: “Connectivity is something that will inevitably come – and it will continue to increase. We have to deal with that.” At the same time, the risks must be carefully weighed up: “We have to weigh up the advantages and benefits of connectivity against the risks – be it the social risk for crew members or the risks of digitalization.” The classification society is also observing that threats are increasingly shifting: “We are seeing how threats are increasingly shifting from office environments to ships.”
Following the panel discussion, the 70 or so participants took the opportunity to exchange ideas and network. Once again, it became clear that maritime connectivity not only means digital networking, but also personal dialog.
