The Dali accident in Baltimore has highlighted that shipping’s failures are hiding in plain sight. The incident can be a watershed moment that inspires the industry to challenge operational ‘norms’ and raise standards to reflect those in more stringent industries like aviation. Challenging convention – not a lack of technology – is the barrier to proactively addressing these weaknesses.
The Dali Incident: A Wake-Up Call
The incident involving the Dali in Baltimore was not just a singular event but rather a symptom of broader systemic safety deficiencies deeply embedded within the industry’s operational norms. While the specifics of the Dali’s accident are still under investigation, its prominence in the media underscores broader vulnerabilities in the industry’s approach to risk reduction, loss prevention and accident investigation that demand immediate attention.
Shipping operates under standards that would be deemed unacceptable in other high-risk industries like aviation, where safety is paramount, and technology is rigorously deployed to mitigate risks. Unlike threats such as climate impacts or geopolitical risks, which are often beyond our control, propulsion loss due to insufficient maintenance or human error is preventable with today’s technology. Yet, despite decades of regulatory frameworks, training programs, and safety audits, the maritime sector continues to experience major incidents, injuries, fatalities, and financial losses at concerning rates. The disparity in safety standards between shipping and aviation is arguably not due to a lack of available technology but down to culture. Within the maritime industry there seems to be a reticence to challenge outdated norms and implement existing technological solutions. Fear of change and the associated perceived risk and extra work is understandable but reluctance to change is posing significant risks not only to operational efficiency but, more importantly, to human lives and the environment.
For all the devastation the Dali incident caused, there is an opportunity for it to be a catalyst for the industry to challenge conventional norms and embrace available technologies. Technologies like our FleetVision™ platform offer comprehensive real-time monitoring of shipboard operations, including navigation, safety protocols, and maintenance activities. By providing actionable insights and immediate alerts, FleetVision™ empowers crews and shore-based teams to mitigate risks proactively, address safety concerns promptly, and prevent situations that could endanger lives or lead to costly operational disruptions.
Bridging the Gap Between Ship and Shore
One of the most glaring disparities between shipping and other industries is the lack of transparency between onboard operations and shore-based decision-makers. Many vessels lack systems to validate adherence to safety procedures, leaving critical safety decisions to individual crew members. This gap not only compromises safety standards but also incentivises behaviours that undermine safety in favour of operational continuity.
FleetVision™ addresses this gap by integrating AI-powered CCTV with real-time data analytics, providing continuous monitoring and immediate alerts for safety violations or anomalies. This proactive approach not only enhances transparency but also ensures swift responses to potential safety issues. By facilitating seamless communication and data sharing between ships and shore, FleetVision™ promotes a culture of accountability and collaboration essential for improving maritime safety standards.
Technology’s Role in Safety
Over decades, vessels have become significantly bigger, adding new machinery and fuels, with layers of new regulatory requirements, and environmental and security risks and reporting requirements adding to the workload burden on already stretched shrinking crews. Technology can help to relieve the burden of growing challenges and risks that smaller crews cannot contend with. Equipping them with AI and automation tools empowers them to excel in their profession and return safely to their families.
At ShipIn Systems, we firmly believe that technology is not the barrier – it’s the solution. Our technology illustrates how advanced AI and real-time analytics can transform maritime safety. Leveraging real-time data and continuously analysing onboard activity, FleetVision provides unprecedented transparency and proactive risk management capabilities. Processing over 2 billion frames daily, FleetVision™ has demonstrated a 40% reduction in onboard incidents and improved compliance with safety protocols across multiple fleets.
Imagine a scenario where every blackout or propulsion issue triggers an immediate alert to onshore stakeholders. This level of real-time information sharing is not just about compliance; it’s about fundamentally changing the safety culture onboard. Crew members empowered with actionable data can make informed decisions that mitigate risks before they escalate.
It’s astounding that despite the clear benefits of modern technology, the maritime industry has been slow to adopt these innovations on a widespread basis. According to research by Bureau Veritas and London P&I Club, over two-thirds of propulsion losses could be avoided with existing technological solutions. Yet, outdated norms and resistance to change perpetuate a culture that prioritises operational continuity over proactive risk management.
Moreover, adopting advanced technologies not only reduces the frequency and severity of incidents but also facilitates more efficient accident investigations. Timely and thorough investigations are crucial for learning from mistakes and implementing preventative measures. In an era where instant information and real-time data are the norm, the maritime industry cannot afford to lag behind.
As the only commercially available system that analyses all the core operational areas onboard vessels to deliver performance improvements, FleetVision™ has been shown to reduce losses across operations, estimated at over $1.87m per fleet of 30 vessels, per year.
A Collective Responsibility
As an industry, we have a moral obligation to do better. It’s not just about mitigating financial risks or complying with regulations; it’s about safeguarding lives, protecting our environment, and ensuring sustainable growth. The maritime community must work together and embrace technological advancements to foster a culture of transparency and accountability.
The Dali incident has prompted intense scrutiny and rightly so. It’s a pivotal moment for the industry and should serve as a wake-up call – a catalyst for us to challenge convention and elevate safety standards from an analogue to a digital state of mind. By harnessing the power of AI and data analytics, we can create a safer, more efficient maritime environment that meets the standards expected of a high-risk industry.
Central to ShipIn’s strategy is collaboration with maritime authorities, shipowners, and industry stakeholders. By working together, we aim to close existing safety gaps and align industry practices with stringent safety standards. These partnerships not only inform our technology development but also ensure that our solutions meet regulatory requirements and operational needs effectively.
Looking ahead, we envision a future where maritime safety is significantly bolstered through the widespread adoption of advanced technologies. Like aviation and other high-risk industries, we aim to make AI-driven safety solutions standard practice across the maritime sector. By harnessing the power of technology, we not only mitigate risks and reduce incidents but also safeguard the well-being of seafarers and protect valuable assets.
