Greater connectivity between crews and shore staff is emerging as a major benefit for ship managers, but there are still barriers.
Remote inspections, audits, surveys and online training are all being developed, but bandwidth is still an issue.
One of the benefits is that virtual inspections can be done at sea as opposed to during port calls, which is the most hectic and stressful time for crews, said Thome Group.
“If we move forward with remote inspections and assistance, we can do much better with problem solving. So when we get a service engineer he is much clearer what he needs to do, and what spare part he needs to bring,” said chief executive Olav Nortun.
Thome is working with classification society DNV on a protocol for internal audits, and how to take existing technologies to the next levels.
Anglo-Eastern chief executive Bjorn Hojgaard said communication with ships remains very slow and expensive due to low bandwidth connections.
“But in the next two to three years, I think that is going to change. Low earth orbiting satellite networks are going to change connectivity across the globe, whether you are on a ship or a mountain.
“I think it’s going to be a game-changer when you see 100 megabits per second connectivity for $100 per month. It will change the way we interact between ship and shore. Ships will be as connected as any other office,” Hojgaard said.
