The maritime industry, a vital component of global trade for centuries, has been significantly influenced by the digital revolution. This transformation has disrupted traditional practices and ushered in a wave of innovation, including automated ports and vessels, real-time tracking, predictive maintenance, and improved data utilisation.

To remain competitive, efficient, and sustainable, the maritime sector must adapt to this digital revolution. However, to do that, we need to start by understanding the difference between digitisation and digitalisation.

Digitisation

Digitisation has revolutionised the way we store, retrieve, and share information in our technologically advanced society. By transforming analogue information or data into digital format, digitisation enables us to efficiently manage vast amounts of data, resulting in faster and more accurate analysis.

Whether capturing images, recording sounds or transcribing text, digitisation allows us to convert a wide range of information into a digital form that can be processed and analysed using computers and digital devices.

One example of digitisation is the process of scanning paper documents and converting them into digital files. This transformation of a physical entity into a digital one not only makes the documents more accessible but also helps to preserve them for further use.

With digitisation’s far-reaching implications and increasing prevalence across industries, it has become an essential aspect of modern-day operations that simply cannot be overlooked.

Digitisation has revolutionised the way we store, retrieve, and share information in our technologically advanced society.

DA-Desk is 100% paper-free – there is not a single physical document that is being delivered to our different stakeholders and users. The agent and the ship operators deal with digital documents only, because DA-Desk has digitised the disbursement account documents.

Digitalisation

Digitalisation refers to the extensive use of digital technology to automate and optimise various aspects of business operations. This involves implementing software systems and tools designed to streamline and simplify business processes, such as managing inventory, customer service, and marketing campaigns. By leveraging digital technology, businesses can improve their overall efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance their ability to compete in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing
marketplace.

In the context of shipboard operations, digitalisation can play a critical role in ensuring the safe and efficient movement of goods and people across the seas. For example, a shipping company might use an inventory management system to automatically track and reorder critical supplies, such as fuel, spare parts, and provisions, to ensure that the ship is always properly equipped and prepared for any eventuality.

Digitalisation refers to the extensive use of digital technology to automate and optimise various aspects of business operations.

Classification society DNV has predicted that shipowners could reduce operating costs by around 30% by implementing digital systems and processes.

DA-Desk does compliance checks in an automated way. The agent, vendors, operator, and vessel are all automatically checked against our internal systems. We have a compliance system, and check all these entities for compliance in case there are any hits in a sanctioned list or anything that we have to raise during this transaction. These are key processes that are automated and digitalised in DA-Desk already.

The impact of digitalisation on maritime businesses

Digitalisation has had a profound impact on maritime businesses, allowing them to streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve safety and security. Here are some ways digitalisation has impacted the maritime industry:

Automation

Through digitalisation, maritime businesses can automate routine tasks. This reduces the time and resources needed to complete them and increases efficiency and productivity.

Data analysis

Digitalisation enables big data: the collection and analysis of massive amounts of data, providing insights that can improve maintenance, processes, safety, and security.

Safety and Security

Real-time monitoring of vessels, cargo and crew improves safety and security through improved situational awareness. In emergencies, the faster and more targeted response enabled by digitalisation can save lives and ships.

Environmental sustainability

Digitalisation enables optimisation of routes and fuel consumption. Businesses that take advantage of digitalisation’s ability to optimise routes and reduce fuel consumption both reduce their environmental impact, and lower their fuel costs.