How AI is Changing the Face of the Shipping industry

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the technological methods which has spread its wings and revolutionized many industries across the world. The maritime sector too has benefited from this system. Find out about the industry insights, obstacles and challenges associated with the sector when using AI and utilize its benefits to enhance your business. 

Defining AI

AI is the reproduction of human intelligence using computer methodologies. In other words, it is a process which substitutes computer knowledge for human intelligence. This process involves learning, self-righting and logical thinking.  

The goal behind this system is to develop a device which can solve problems and make decisions like humans, thereby making work easier for users. Unlike human beings, AI technology can deal with a vast amount of data. At times this technology provides the basis on which everything else functions like computer-aided detection and categorization. 

AI has undergone many changes throughout the years. The introduction of ChatGPT is a milestone in its history. Following computer vision, the next hurdle that this system overcame is in natural language processing (NLP). Generative AI can now understand and adapt to not only human language but also data verities like pictures, videos, computer instructions and molecular patterns.

AI application in the shipping sector 

Though it isn’t proclaimed, it is evident that AI has been used in the marine field for some time. Using AI has benefitted sectors like resource management, planned maintenance, shipment accession, hazard management, and logistic network management. Autonomous ships too are developed by AI today. The reason why these systems are used for such purposes is to enhance orderliness, protection and profit-making in the industry. They also focus on reducing its environmental impact to create more sustainable means of approaching these procedures. 

Many marine companies in Sri Lanka  provide a wide range of services. Cargo and Freight Companies like McLarens Sri Lanka use Microsoft's cutting-edge technology devices due to their confidence in handling ultra-modern techniques. One of the most successful business formulas of the modern world is adopting and incorporating new technologies and building up digital capabilities.  

Benefits and challenges 

Resource management: You can engage AI to enhance the trade route by inspecting data from several places they originate like the climate, GPS and congestion. Hence, ships can change their course to avoid natural disasters like storms or save fuel by taking a less crowded route. 

 Planned maintenance: AI can forecast when a ship needs to be repaired.  This will not only be a time saver but it will also help reduce expenses as the problem will be dealt with at the initial stages. 

Shipment accession: AI can survey the weight and capacity of packages. Thus, the loading and unloading process can be done in a nick of time. This creates a more systematic environment as there will be no hassles or confusion in packing the contents into the ships. 

Hazard management: Issues like adverse weather, traffic and piracy can be avoided as all the data will be scrutinized.  

Logistic network management: Since all the information is available, cut and dried, there will minimal delays. AI makes sure that the entire infrastructure is in place for smooth delivery. 

Though AI creates a smooth workflow, it also comes with its own set of challenges. One of the most common obstacles in many technology-driven industries is high-tech substituting human work. The best way to deal with this is to create awareness and train the employees on how to use these technological devices to their benefit by creating a hassle-free working environment for them.

AI comes with a price too and it is quite a high one. You might have to bear these costs at the primary stages of the business and adapt policies like using this feature for certain tasks only or using it according to a timetable. Do not take these expenses to heart because you will be able to cash in on the profit in the long run.