Evolution of Technology in Shipping
Shipping has been the method of choice for transporting heavy cargo across long distances. Today, marine transportation systems are an integral part of maritime trade, functioning at high efficiency.
However, shipping has tenaciously clung to its traditional roots until the last decade or so. Previously, technology was often considered as somewhat of a liability instead of an asset. The scenario is gradually changing these days, with better and more advanced machinery and communication tools being invented for making a sailor’s life easier.
This is an overview of the various technological advancements in the marine industry, in terms of marine infrastructure, navigation aids, salvage and firefighting support, security systems, and search and rescue facilities.
Technological Advancements in Shipping
- Marine Infrastructure and Logistics
In marine infrastructure, we primarily focus on ship design and operation. Shipping and shipbuilding has a history of over 5000 years, but post the Industrial Revolution, there has been a cataclysmic change in the approach towards shipping. Be it the energy source that powers the ship, or the hull design, or the engine and propulsion units used, adoption of technology has kept pace with the innovation in machinery within the industry.
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Today, fossil fuels are the most popular energy source used in ships. However, given the rising environmental concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, there have been efforts for sustainable growth in shipping. Ship design is undergoing radical changes to maintain the green building regulations specified by the IMO and the latest technologies are being used to facilitate a low carbon footprint. No-ballast ships, LNG fuel for propulsion unit and auxiliary engines, advanced rudder and propeller systems, sulphur scrubber systems, waste heat recovery and exhaust gas circulation, better pump and water cooling system, and solar fuel propulsion are some of the technologies being used for green shipping today.
- Navigational Aids
Navigation technology has become progressively reliant of information technology, eliminating human error in transmission and thereby improving efficiency manifold. Aids to navigation have been used for hundreds of years to help ships make their way safely through the ocean, avoiding hazards and other dangers. The earliest navigation aids were nautical charts, lighthouses, beacons, and buoys.
With the passage of time, these aids have developed technical roots and anchored themselves firmly in the marine industry. The invention of the Global Positioning System (GPS) has made a monumental difference in the navigation of ships. Satellite-based aids, automatic identification systems (AIS), Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), etc. are being used today, making navigation easier and more efficient than ever before.
The advantage of virtual navigation aids is that they can be easily installed and have low maintenance costs than physical aids. However, the probability of them being tampered with is also higher, which is why they are recommended for use in conjunction with physical navigational aids.
