Navigating The Future: Safety First

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Navigating The Future: Safety First
Navigating The Future: Safety First

By
Ahmad Ibrahim

Africa-Press – Mauritius. Shipping industry is physical manifestation of contemporary globalized world and has been backbone of global economy for past several centuries. According to UNCTAD, international shipping currently accounts for over 80 percent of net global trade by volume. Primary reasons for this overwhelming dependency on shipping industry include: cost-efficiency, global out-reach, high load carrying capacity, and reliable safety standards. Maritime safety thus holds pivotal position as far as efficient conduct of maritime trade is concerned.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) commemorated the World Maritime Day on September 26, 2024 with theme “Navigating the Future: Safety First.” This theme highlighted the importance of technological innovation in shipping practices to ensure safer and reliable shipping in future. In addition, it also dealt with environmental sustainability by minimizing the carbon footprint of shipping industry. The theme aligned closely with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (industry innovation and infrastructure), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 14 (life below water).

Since its establishment in 1948, IMO has focused on periodic improvement of safety standards in shipping industry by incorporating newer technologies and improving regulatory frameworks. One of the most significant milestones in this regard was the formulation of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which has directed maritime safety for nearly half a century. The IMO’s proactive approach to regulatory mechanism development ensures that the maritime industry evolves to overcome shortcomings and prepare for future challenges without compromising on the efficiency.

A key example of IMO’s futuristic approach is formulation of a goal-based code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). Semi-autonomous surface ships are in developmental phase. Few examples are already in trial phase. For example, Japan’s company NYK conducted sea trials of maritime autonomous surface ship, called Iris Leader, in September 2019. Despite on-going debates regarding practicality of unmanned surface vessels, these ships are already being regarded as next big thing in shipping industry. Although risks and operational challenges are there but high-degree automation promises several opportunities as far as safety, security, and efficiency of operation in increasingly complex global shipping environment is concerned.

The incorporation of automation and digitalization will radically change the operability of shipping industry. These technologies are optimizing operational efficiency and performance while significantly improving human and system safety. Human induced errors have been the primary reason of accidents in maritime domain. Errors are usually caused in navigation, maintenance, loading-unloading operations, and even decision-making process by human-crew due to fatigue, inappropriate working conditions, poor training, and limited communication. This often leads to operational failures and even accidents which in some instances can have global ramifications. An eminent example in this regard is grounding of Ever Green giant container ship at Suez Canal on March 21, 2021. The ship practically blocked the Suez Canal for multiple days and disrupted global maritime traffic. Combination of factors, including human error, played major role in ship’s grounding. Automation can significantly minimize the likelihood of such incidents by minimizing the risks of aforementioned human induced errors and thereby improving the safety and reliability of shipping industry.

In recent years, data collection and technology-driven solutions have also become central to safety and accident prevention. In past, safety measures were reactive. However, the integration of data and technology has brought a paradigm shift in the form of proactive safety which subsequently can helps in creating a safety culture within maritime industries. Measures like predictive analytics, Real-Time Monitoring (RTM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and internet of things (IoT) manifest integration of data analysis and technology to mitigate risks and improve safety of human as well as system. However, as the shipping industry increasingly relies on these innovations, the importance of developing safety regulations that keep pace with technological advancements cannot be overstated. The IMO’s goal-based MASS Code and other regulatory initiatives aim to manage the risks associated with automation, ensuring that while new technologies offer efficiency gains, they do not compromise the safety of seafarers or the marine environment.

In addition to human safety, the IMO’s theme also underscored the importance of marine ecosystem. With more than 01 billion metric tons green-house-gas (GHG) emissions, shipping currently account for 3 percent contribution in global GHG emissions. It may appear inconsequential in a casual glance but it’s worth noting that if global shipping was a country, it would have been the sixth largest producer of GHG emissions. Green shipping is widely believed to be next technological evolution of contemporary shipping practices. Its sustainable and ecofriendly shipping with minimum carbon footprint. In nutshell, periodic transition towards green shipping can be achieved in two key stages by incorporating innovative technologies in shipping industry. First, heavy fuel oils (HFOs) can be replaced by alternate options with lower sulfur oxide (Sox) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) output. For example, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen, methanol, or ammonia are credible alternative and are already in use in varying capacities. Second, traditional diesel propulsion system in ships can be replaced with eco-friendly alternatives, like electric propulsion system (EPS). EPS uses electric motors and batteries for propelling the ships and offers lower operational and maintenance costs, superior safety, and significantly reduced carbon foot-print. The gradual transition towards green shipping will allow safety of marine ecosystem and help in combating climate change in longer run.

In sum, with theme “Navigating the Future: Safety First!” IMO sought to project knowledge and awareness regarding adaptation of futuristic technologies in shipping while focusing on safety regulations. As the maritime industry is gradually shifting towards enhanced automation and green shipping technologies, the safety will remain the pivotal aspect driving these developments to ensure protection of human life as well as marine ecosystem.

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