A concept that is rapidly becoming infamous within the maritime industry is the ‘smart ship’. A product of enhanced satellite connectivity, big data and advanced analytical powers, the smart ship is being billed as the next ‘revolution’ for all sectors of the maritime industry.
Clarkson Research president Martin Stopford has repeatedly called for the industry in recent times to adopt “smart shipping”. The maritime economics heavyweight believe that existing technology has been squeezed to the point of diminishing returns. Stopford’s recommended solution is what he calls smart shipping with a much greater integration of ship operations with the internet and big data. This, according to Stopford, would transform shipping to be a management business, compared to today where he says the industry is a “cost minimisation, gambling business”.
When it comes to the pursuit of the smart ship, like Stopfords views, China is full switched on to smart shipping and as a result is nautical miles ahead of other nations.
It was during the Smart Ship Development Forum & Smart Ship Demo at Marintec 2015, sponsored by state backed Chinese conglomerate China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), that details regarding the constructions of China’s first smart ship were revealed.
The 38,800 DWT smart ship project is being planned and led by Shanghai Ship Design and Research Institute with participation from CSSC Systems Engineering Research Institute, CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, CSSC Power Research Institute and Hudong Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd.
Developed with big data in mind, CSSC’s smart ship has will feature several key functions including; real-time transmission and collection for ship performance and energy efficiency monitoring, engine room equipment and system operation status monitoring, sea route planning based on hydrological and meteorological information, digital modelling and remote control and environmental impact analysis. It also features intelligent management control systems, independent analysis, assessment and predictions to assist with communication between ship and shore and to maximise navigational safety.
“The smart concept runs throughout the whole ship. From this perspective, the 38,800 dwt bulk carrier will become not only China’s first smart ship, but also the first globally,” CSSC said in a recent release.
Construction of the smartship is due to commence in September 2016, with delivery scheduled for 2017.
