Charting the Course Ahead: The Future of AI in Marine Cargo Survey Businesses

The marine industry has long relied on the expertise and knowledge of cargo surveyors to ensure the safe and efficient transport of goods across the world’s oceans. In today’s rapidly evolving information age, knowledge and expertise is not just power—it is a strategic asset that drives innovation, growth, and competitive advantage. As marine survey businesses navigate an increasingly complex landscape, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise the way knowledge is harnessed, analysed and applied across all industries, and the marine survey industry is no different.

The foundation of knowledge businesses – such as marine surveying- lies in the ability to efficiently access, organise, and interpret vast amounts of data and information and then use that data and information productively and profitably. AI technologies, such as natural language processing, machine learning and semantic analysis are empowering organizations to use data and extract meaningful insights from unstructured data sources such as text documents, research papers and online content. Continue reading “Charting the Course Ahead: The Future of AI in Marine Cargo Survey Businesses”

Engine Retrofit Report 2023 finds lack of yard capacity could compromise retrofit ambitions

Engine Retrofit Report 2023 has been published by Lloyd's Register
Engine Retrofit Report 2023 has been published by Lloyd’s Register

The Engine Retrofit Report 2023 from Lloyd’s Register (LR) has found that a shortage of repair yards with sufficient experience in conversions may hinder the take up of alternative fuel technology by the existing fleet.

Applying alternative fuels to existing ships research on the state of technology, integration and compliance, alongside the business case for retrofitting vessels, has found that repair yard capability and capacity concerns could thwart the uptake of alternative fuel technology onboard existing ships. Continue reading “Engine Retrofit Report 2023 finds lack of yard capacity could compromise retrofit ambitions”

Electric drive narrowboats guide published

New guide to electric narrowboats published by the Inland Waterways Association
Electric drive narrowboats guide published by the Inland Waterways Association

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has published An Introduction to Electric Drive Narrowboats guide.

IWA believes that it is vital for members of the inland waterways community to make their contribution to a more sustainable environment. IWA’s Sustainable Boating Group has been looking at how inland waterways leisure boating can become more sustainable since 2019 and published its Vision Paper in 2020, covering propulsion, the existing fleet and domestic energy on boats. Continue reading “Electric drive narrowboats guide published”

Electric boat and ship markets gaining momentum, says IDTechEx

In its new report “Electric Boats & Ships 2024-2044,” technology company IDTechEx has provided granular 20-year forecasts in unit sales, battery demand and battery market value for the electric ferry, electric cargo/container, electric Ro-Ro, electric cruise, electric OSV, electric tugboat and electric recreational boats by power class. It also shared technology analysis and price information on marine Li-ion battery systems ($/kWh 2020 – 2044) and electric propulsion systems.

The company pointed out that across the land-based electric vehicle sectors, there is mostly a transition to battery-electric propulsion Continue reading “Electric boat and ship markets gaining momentum, says IDTechEx”

Role of hydrogen and batteries in delivering net zero in the UK analysed in new report

The Faraday Institution has published a report analysing how hydrogen and battery technologies are likely to be used in different sectors within the UK, including transportation, manufacturing, the built environment, and power sectors, to 2050. Both are anticipated to play an increasingly vital role as the UK transitions to a low-carbon future to address critical concerns of climate change and energy security.

Professor Pam Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Faraday Institution said: “Batteries and hydrogen have distinct characteristics and should largely be viewed as complementary rather than competing technologies. Continue reading “Role of hydrogen and batteries in delivering net zero in the UK analysed in new report”

How to protect battery systems update by the Norwegian Maritime Authority

The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has published some safety recommendations for vessels featuring battery systems in order to protect them against humid, salty air and seawater intrusion.

Responding directly in the wake of the Brim accident on 11 March 2021 which involved lithium-ion batteries and a preliminary report from the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority, the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) carried out surveys on board vessels with battery installations with a low IP rating (less than IP- Continue reading “How to protect battery systems update by the Norwegian Maritime Authority”

UK Chamber of Shipping to examine risks of lithium ion batteries

The UK Chamber of Shipping has established an ad hoc working group to gain a comprehensive understanding of the risks associated with lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The group is to examine various aspects of batteries, including how to guard against such batteries going into thermal runaway and catching fire.

The group has participants from the Chamber membership, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and expert specialists. It is aiming to develop:
– Proposals for regulations relating to the carriage of LIBs on ships
– Recommendations for training and information for ships’ crews Continue reading “UK Chamber of Shipping to examine risks of lithium ion batteries”

Ports Of Stockholm explores safety aspects of autonomous shipping

Image courtesy of Ports of Stockholm
Image courtesy of Ports of Stockholm

Ports of Stockholm and its collaborative partners have been awarded funding from the Swedish Transport Agency maritime transport research and innovation portfolio. Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) is coordinating the research project, which has the name PLUZ Policy Lab Urban Zjöfart. Other organisations participating in the project are Norwegian shipping company Torghatten, technology supplier Zeabuz, Det Norske Veritas Sweden (DNV), who work with vessel classification and certification, as well as the Vattenbussen AB organisation, which focuses on efficient use of resources and the potential of waterways to contribute to a sustainable society. Continue reading “Ports Of Stockholm explores safety aspects of autonomous shipping”

ChatGPT: The AI chatbot that will change the way marine surveyors work and live

ChatGPT is set to change the digital landscape for good
ChatGPT is set to change the digital landscape for good

Article by Mike Schwarz, IIMS Chief Executive Officer

ChatGPT is in our midst. The one thing we know for sure is that in this modern digital world, things never stand still for long and there is always something bright, shiny and new coming along to challenge us, threatening to change the digital landscape and the way we operate for good.

ChatGPT is one such innovation. Perhaps you have already heard about this phenomenon, or maybe it is completely new to you. As a business acquaintance said to me when I asked her about it, Continue reading “ChatGPT: The AI chatbot that will change the way marine surveyors work and live”

Are lithium-ion batteries safe on yachts – and other vessels?

Image credit: Stevie-Iona Vaughan/Facebook
Image credit: Stevie-Iona Vaughan/Facebook

Authored by Mike Schwarz, IIMS Chief Executive Officer

“Mike’s suffering from mild hysteria”, they said. Well, perhaps I have been, yes. The cause of my hysteria? Lithium-ion batteries and fires caused by them! There are believed to have been nearly 70 fires last year alone involving large and superyachts. As more new information on this subject comes to light on a regular basis, I simply have to come back to it time and time again and share what we know. It is a massive and worrying subject and one that is consuming the finest technical minds in the marine world right now. We all need to be aware of the phenomenon for it will not resolve any time soon. As always, I say I understand fully the need to decarbonize and embrace this Continue reading “Are lithium-ion batteries safe on yachts – and other vessels?”

Antifouling performance is being enhanced

The biocide, Selektope, is being introduced into marine antifouling coatings to enhance the performance of self-polishing co-polymer (SPC) marine coatings. I-Tech’s team of R&D scientists have been working on the technology for the last five years and say they have discovered new ways in which the first-of-its-kind biocide, Selektope can be introduced to marine antifouling coatings in combination with other biocides with little or no effect on formulation chemistry or performance.

The technology works by improving the dispersion of the active substance via adsorption to paint pigment particles. Continue reading “Antifouling performance is being enhanced”

New report reveals that the use of digital tools onboard is positively perceived

As part of this project, the two partners, The European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) and the Euopean Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) wanted to investigate the increased use of digital tools on board and the possible benefits and /or improvements to shipboard safety and welfare. As a result of the survey, there are a number of recommendations made which are summarised at the end of this article.

The research starting point was a desk-based exercise to map out and analyse existing research findings. To get detailed insights as regards life on board, and the impact of increased digitalisation, the research targeted those with first hand experience through online surveys. Continue reading “New report reveals that the use of digital tools onboard is positively perceived”

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