Implementing digital technologies in the maritime industry requires a careful evaluation of each solution’s difficulty, cost, accessibility, usability, and impact on risk. As the complexity of the technology increases, so do the challenges associated with its deployment; however, the potential rewards in terms of operational efficiency and competitive advantage also grow. In this article, we explore the 5 implementation difficulty levels.
Level 1: Very Low Difficulty
At the easiest level, solutions are readily accessible with minimal barriers to entry. These technologies require little more than basic IT equipment, and the cost is very low. Most of the tools at this level are widely available on the open market, with a large selection of quality suppliers to choose from. Notably, no special training is required to operate these technologies to their full extent, resulting in a negligible likelihood of causing a measurable increase in business risk when used by any user group. Examples include text messaging and basic digital folder structures for filing.
Level 2: Low Difficulty
The next step up involves slightly more complex technologies that still remain relatively easy to implement. The cost remains low, and these solutions can be operated using commonly used business IT equipment. They are also widely available on the market, though the selection of suppliers may be somewhat narrower than at Level 1. Minimal training is required to operate these technologies at their full functionality, leading to a low likelihood of causing measurable increases in business risk. Technologies in this category might include social media platforms, basic Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications, and webmail services.
Level 3: Medium Difficulty
At this level, digital solutions begin to present moderate challenges in terms of both cost and implementation. While conventional business IT equipment can handle these systems, some additional operational technology or hardware may be necessary. Training is likely required to operate the technology at its full extent, but the required skill level can typically be obtained by multi-skilled employees. Although there is a measurable increase in business risk, it remains manageable with basic measures. Examples include configurable SaaS platforms and basic data gathering technologies with analytical functionality, such as voyage routing and analytics used in a restricted, advisory capacity.
Level 4: High Difficulty
As the complexity increases, the difficulty of implementation and associated costs also rise. Technologies at this level will likely require dedicated IT and operational technology, which can be costly to source, implement, and maintain. In many cases, the functionality may rely on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, or quantum computing. Full training will be required to operate these technologies effectively, and they may only be appropriate for employees with specific skills. Failure of the technology or misuse of results could result in a significant increase in business risk. Robust data quality management may be available, but it often requires a high level of user configuration and may allow for risky overrides. Solutions in this category include sophisticated ship management software and smart-ship sensor suites used for primary decision-making.
Level 5: Very High Difficulty
At the highest level of difficulty, businesses will deal with highly specialised and often cutting-edge technology. These solutions come with high costs and will likely need to be custom-built or exist in prototype form. The technology often relies on novel fields such as AI, machine learning, or quantum computing and requires dedicated infrastructure to support it. Highly specialist skills will be required to manage these technologies, and these skills will likely need to be recruited or outsourced. The technology is likely to be fundamentally disruptive to business operations, involving significant changes to accommodate new functionalities. Examples include automated, virtualised multilateral decision support systems, virtual environment manipulation, and fully autonomous shipping, which may even involve AI-driven primary decision-making.
For further insight into the areas highlighted in this article, take a look at our thought leadership report, produced in collaboration with Lloyd’s Register, The Benchmark: Measuring the Progress of Digital Transformation in Ship Operations. This report provides a deep dive into the journey towards digital maturity for maritime businesses. You can download a copy here.
