Technology and Maritime Sector
The use of technology can considerably improve the processes that make International Maritime Trade possible. Yes, it can improve yields, negotiation processes, procedures, savings and security in the issuance of charter contracts, for example. Likewise, encrypting the information contained in documents, such as bills of lading, commercial invoices, certificates of origin, list of contents (goods), that as part of the essential documentation for the transport of goods by sea.
At the same time, it can be very useful when carrying out inspections on superstructures that demand precision from the human capital in charge, resulting in an optimal production of the resources, a key example of this is the inspection of offshore oil platforms or off-shore platforms. Where the use of aerial drones has contributed positively to the veracity of such inspections.
Yes, technology can facilitate many processes and activities, which in the past were unfeasible to perform or we were not prepared for specific changes that have become transcendent. Reducing the risk factors that seafarers must go through is preponderant but will not completely replace the intervention of human capital and even less so in an industry as widely demanding as the maritime sector.
However, given the current situation influenced by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic that has been gradually affecting the world economy since November 2019, the use of technological tools has become more important in order to carry out the various negotiations to boost maritime trade. This is nothing more than the use of the available resources in the midst of the adversities that have become global.
Now, what kind of technologies can bring a strategic evolution within our sector, framed in the current situation? We could certainly mention the 5th Generation (5G) mobile technology, successor of the current 4G, where the connection will be very close to be made in real time. It will increase the speed of connection between devices, reducing to a minimum the response time of the web, will favor the development of virtual reality, augmented reality and everything related to high definition content and mass consumption.
The application of this technology in the port area is key, since there will not be a single network but several virtual networks that will be connected simultaneously within a common infrastructure, significantly improving efficiency in logistics and commercial operations within the port area, giving a turn of 180° not only to the action of these operations, but also to its implementation in different sectors and scenarios worldwide, demonstrating adaptability to new times and trends.
By Maury Molina, YoungShip Colombia
