Maritime Industry 4.
0 - Challenges and Solutions
1
Department of Marine Engineering
The NeotiaUniversity(TNU), D.H.Road, Sarisa, 24 Pgns (S), West Bengal - 743368.
Email:santanu_314@yahoo.co.in
2
Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Haldia Institute of Technology
Email: sabyalnt@gmail.com
Abstract -“Smart Industry” the title denote the industrial
advancement in the way of digitization, where the
machineries are connected each other, collect and sharing
data continuously. This is called the 4th Industrial Revolution
or, “Industry 4.0” where artificial intelligence (AI), the
higher degrees of automation introduces into the industries
so that the machineries can communicate each other without
human interference. The maritime industry is also entering
this revolutionary phase of industry revolution, called
"Maritime Industry 4.0"; where semi to highly autonomous
ships (HA Ships) will be delivering in the market for trading.
Also the increase in demand towards digitization and
automatization in sea mode transport sector draws attention
to the ship owner, managers, various stake holders and
regulatory bodies of shipping industry like IMO-MSC
(Safety Committee of International Maritime Organization).
In view of autonomous advancement in shipping industry,
India also place footmark in the world of ship building
industry. Cochin Shipyard (CSL, India) has signed a
contract on 15 July 2020 to build and supply two
autonomous electric ferries for ASKO Maritime AS in
Norway. This article briefly describes how autonomous
shipping faces regulatory and employment challenges
considering facts of analysis and possible solutions of those
challenges.
Keywords - Autonomous Shipping; challenges and solutions.
INTRODUCTION
Considering the revolutions from the beginning of
industrial era, it can be categories the industry revolutions
in 4 stages. They are –
1) The 1st industrial revolution, came with the
application of water, steam and mechanization power
(1760 to 1840).
2) This was succeeded by the industrial revolution 2nd,
the phase of mass production, electrical power &
mobile machines (19th century).
3) The 3rd industrial revolution, accompany with digital
information technology and automation (20th
century).
4) The fourth industrial revolution i.e. so called Industry
4.0 is the smart industry that is associated with digital
transformation [1].
With every evolution, human adopt and implemented new
technologies to grow civilization. New adoption of the
technologies demands the new possibilities in the market
from the suppliers to the end-users. The Industry 4.0 is
revolutionizing by integrating new technologies like Data
Analytics, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things (1oT),
introduction of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Machine
Learning (ML) into their production facilities and
operations. The revolution 4.0 develops smart factories in
shore based industries. Similar like shore based industries,
Maritime Industry also developing of a smart and
digitally-enabled maritime Industry. The industry called
“Maritime 4.0”, the age of autonomous shipping [2].
Establishment of Maritime Industry 4.0 when it comes to
safety and security, IMO (Internat1onal Marit1me
Organ1zation) MSC (Marit1me Safety Comm1ttee) play
the key role to develop IMO instrument called MASS.
A MASS (Marit1me Autonomous Surface Sh1ps) is
defined as a ship; that can operate independently to
varying degrees (basically 4 degrees / 4 types of
autonomous ships) with or without human interaction. The
4 Degrees of Ship Automation are [3] –
1) Degree one (D1): Vessel facilitated with
computerized approaches and decision support
system onboard. Few tasks of the ship operations can
be digitized computerized and unattended, however if
required crew are on board and will take over the
control as and while required i.e., Seafarers are on
board to function as and when necessary.
2) Degree two (D2): Vessel facilitated with remotely
controlled by shore staff but with seafarer on board.
The vessel is controlled and operated from shore
based co-ordination center, but as and when required
for safer operation; the seafarer will take charge and
operate the onboard systems.
3) Degree three (D3): Vessel will be remotely managed
ship without any seafarers’ requirement on board:
Vessel will be absolutely managed and operated from
ashore co-ordination center without any crew
onboard.
4) Degree four (D4): Fully independent ship: Ship
capable of perform with the aid of using its own,
without assistant of human.
The technology advancement of automation stages, degree
1 to 4 (D1 to D4), will come with its own potential impact
on the seafarer’s job pattern, job scarcity in our society,
the environment, safety, security and pollution prevention
requirements at its own pace. Through this paper, will
discover that the shifting to autonomous shipping
welcoming unique challenges and drawbacks. However,
every possibilities are having both sides of the coin i.e.
pros and cons. Having said that; this study will consider
discovering and identifying regulatory and job scarcity
challenges and solutions. The main view of the study
related to Maritime 4.0 and its impact in shipping
industry.
A. Challenges Analysis and Solutions:
Aa. Regulatory Challenges and Solutions
To develop MASS, IMO has initiated RSE (Regulatory
Scoping Exercise) in 2017, to access how to operate
MASS (autonomous vessels) operations for all four types
of autonomous ships safe and securely in our existing
IMO conventions and regulations. Considering the IMO
requirement, the RSE assessed the existing IMO treaties
and requirement of any new instrument to introduce. The
IMO treaties assessed are SOLAS Convention’74 and
numerous codes made obligatory under SOLAS’74,
considering ESP-1993, the Casualty Investigation Code
2008, Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC Code), Dangerous
Goods (IMDG Code), FSS and FTP Code, Gas Carrier
(IGC Code), Carriage of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel (INF
Code), Bulk Chemical (IBC Code), Stability Code,
International Safety Management for pollution prevention
(ISM Code), Security code – ISPS Code, Collision
Regulations (COLREG 1972); Training, Watch keeping
and Certification Convention and Code, Convention on
Safe Containers (CSC’1972); Cargo Stowing and
Securing Code (CSS Code, Search and Rescue
Convention, Load Lines Convention and 1988 Protocol;
search and rescue etc[4]. After assessing all these treaties,
the RSE at its 103rd session (conducted on dated 5th to 14th
May 2021) highlighted key challenges that need to be
address by the ship managers and operators to operate
maritime autonomous surface ships MASS. The
Regulatory Key challenges are [5] –
1) Role of Responsibilities issues in autonomous vessels:
The current responsibility of the ship rests with the
captain. Captain will be responsible for everything
that happened onboardship. So the question arises,
what will happen when fully controlled long-range
operations (autonomous ships, based on the
technology advancement) implemented? Who will
take these legal responsibilities? Because in the
future, especially in the third degree (remotely
controlled ship) and the fourth degree (full
autonomous ship), there will be so-called no master,
crew will be onboard. Vessels will be operated from
shore based co-ordination center.
2) Possible hazards of vessel while complying with
existing IMO instruments: Operating these types of
autonomous vessel with existing IMO convention,
codes regulations, annexes, guidelines etc may result
to accident and thus leads to environmental disaster.
3) Seafarers Certificate of Competency: The present
crews are trained to operate manned vessel with semi
automation technologies. The present Master and
Crew (officers and ratings) are not familiar with the
advance autonomous technologies.
4) Certified Information Security: - To ensure vessel and
shore based co-ordination communication security
connection information / cyber-security play a vital
role with legal control aspects. Providing this
measures control the information transmitted between
the parties are not accessible by any external
authorities. Accessing the vessel information by third
party / hijacking, they are able to manipulate the data
and the vessel operators lose their control. The Cyber
risks control should be addressed but are not limited
to as per MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3[5] –
1) Bridge systems;
2) Engine and Propulsion management and power
control systems;
3) Public networks for passengers;
4) Passenger service and management systems;
5) Cargo handling and management systems;
6) Access control systems;
7) Communication systems, and
8) Administrative and crew welfare systems;
To manage the above challenges, the possible solutions
may propose are [4] -
1) IMO to define Specific Terminologies and
responsibilities: The Terminologies and
responsibilities section provides language support to
interpreters, external translators translation services
and other users. IMO need to develop MASS specific
terminologies related to autonomous shipping in the
existing terminologies. Like the definition and
responsibilities of master, crew, responsible person
etc. It is also essential to addressing the roles and
responsibilities remote operator and also to identify
the feasible designation and legal responsibilities of
them.
2) Carry out Possible hazards Analysis: Hazards such as,
firefighting in such vessels can be control by drone,
robotic fire man and fixed extinguisher to cover
designated areas of ships. Cargo stowage-secured-
maintenance-delivery can only be maintain by
maintaining vessel seaworthiness all the time by
monitoring remote operation of vessels continuously
without any interruptions by using remote sensors.
IMO can consider drone technology, high-definition
cameras and remote operating sensors for vessel safe
operation in future. Vessel watch keeping, vessel
monitoring, to deal with piracy, search and rescue
operation, collision issues, regular information update
for the safe operation can be managed by such
technologies.
3) Carry out Gap Analysis and Identify Requirement of 2019. In this particular report it was assessed how global
new Certification and documents: IMO needs to transport industries will be affected by the technology
identify potential deficiencies between several of advancement to other employment and other factors. Here
IMO's existing safety treaties. To identify the specific the committee had focused the major 4 sectors of
requirement of statutory certificates and regulatory transportation industry i.e. seaborne trade, road, rail and
documents for vessel manager required to comply. aviation industries. The report states adoption of
Certificates like requirement of Internat1onal Secur1ty automation in the global transportation industry will be
Certificate for Ships, Internat1onal safety evolutionary, not revolutionary; and the change is slow
management Certificates, Min1mum Safe Manning and irreversible. The identified key challenge by
Document, Seafarers Certif1cation and up gradation analyzing statistical data by the committee in its report
certification requirement etc in such vessels. Also says about the [9] –
requirement of complying with documents like, rest Job Scarcity Challenges: - WMU statistics of country
hours for shore co-ordination center crew members, profile on the readiness level for the introduction of
how to update Oil Record Book and other records emerging and new technologies mentioned in the Table.
electronically etc. IMO need to identify the 1, where 17 countries readiness profile introduces. The
methodologies of ship survey, inspection by comparison scenario of these 17 countries related to their
international port authorities while no crew available readiness to general industry readiness with respect to
onboard the vessels by considering drone technology. shipping industry readiness to welcome automation
4) Guidelines on cyber risk management [6]: technology. The countries referred are Philippines, Brazil,
1) Ships shall comply with cyber security guidelines China, Ghana, Denmark, France, Norway, Nigeria, South
developed and approved by INTERTANKO, Africa, Panama, U.S. Sweden, Japan, Peru, Australia,
OCIMF, CLIA, BIMCO, ICS, IUMI, and Republic of Korea, and Turkey. In the Table .1; 0.00 will
INTERCARGO. be less prepared country and 10.00 will be most prepared
2) Compliance with ISO/IEC 27001 standards for country to welcome automation technology. “General” is
informat1on technology - Security methods - – General Country profile towards readiness and
informat1on security management systems; “Maritime” for marine industry readiness towards
published jointly by the Internat1onal E1ectro Industry 4.0.
technical Commission (IEC) and the Depend on the country preparedness in automation
Internat1onal Organization for Standardization industry today’s workers will be affected on their skill
(ISO). levels because of the new technologies by displacing and
3) Compliance with Framework for Improving creating new jobs. A 2-yrs period of study made by the
Cyber security Cr1tical Infrastructure by US World Maritime University, financed by the Internat 1onal
National Inst1tute of Standards and Technology Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has close-out that
(NIST Framework). First, let's see how block modern technologies will reduce the aggregate demand
chain is proposed for cyber? and then proposal for seafarers (both officers and ratings) by 22% between
will come how it can be applied to remote ship 2019 to 2040 for Highly Automated Ship (HA Ships).
cyber threat operations? Please refer in Fig. 1.
MSC in its 104th session (conducted remotely from 4 th to TABLE I
8th October 2021) propose to create of a goal-based (Country readiness profile welcoming automation industry)
1nstrument for implementation of MASS and suggests Sl. Country readiness profile
No.
target date for the instrument implementation of MASS by Country Name General Maritime
2025. At its 105th session in April 2022, the MSC began 1 Australia 6.6 5.7
2 Philippines 4.6 4.7
work on developing a goal-oriented tool to regulate the 3 Brazil 4.6 4.8
operation of Maritime Autonomous Surface Vessels 4 China 5.6 7.9
(MASS) and suggests developing “MASS Code” [7]. At 5 Ghana 4.4 3.2
the MSC.105TH meeting on April 20-29, 2022, a non- 6 Denmark 7.0 6.6
mandatory rule was proposed for adoption as a first phase 7 France 6.6 6.4
8 Norway 6.7 6.2
in the second half of 2024. Based on the outcome after the 9 Nigeria 3.6 3.0
adoption of the mentioned Voluntary Code, a compulsory 10 South Africa 5.2 5.3
MASS Code will be entering into force on 01st Jan’28[8]. 11 Panama 5.0 4.9
12 U.S. 7.6 6.4
Ab. Employment Challenges and Solutions 13 Sweden 7.1 5.1
14 Japan 7.0 6.7
The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and
15 Peru 4.6 3.8
the World Maritime University (WMU) released a 16 Republic of Korea 6.5 6.8
flagship report “Transport 2040: Automation Technology 17 Turkey 5.2 6.1
Employment - the Future of Work” on dated 15 January

Fig. 1 Simulation test by WMU for the demand for seafarers;
Notes: H.A. Ships means self-propelled Highly Automated Ship
operating on international voyages.
To manage the above challenge, the possible solution can
be proposing training requirement for seafarers. What
certificate of competency level will be required to operate
the vessels? To answer the questions and to overcome the
job scarcity due to automation, the existing seafarer’s
needs to be trained and certificate needs to be upgraded as
per new job responsibility. IMO to ensure that the
necessary skills required to deal with new technologies
should integrated into the training module. It is to be sure
that the future mariner must have adequate digital skills in
3 key areas:
1) Data flow and the ability to interpret and analyze
large amounts of data
2) Individual digital operations
3) Software development, basic computer
programming, and networking etc
Thus country need to develop module for Training of
Seafarers (SEAFARER 4.0):-
It may be recommended to add few subject topics in the
current curriculum of syllabus of seafarer’s course.
Initially without removing any of the existing course
topics. Later syllabus will be modified time to time with
the growth of automation in maritime technology. The
idea is to migrating the training course parallel to shipping
development. Suggested topics recommended to add in
the syllabus are [10]:-
1) Computer Fundamentals and Networking
2) Computer programming language
3) Statistics and data analysis using python and R
4) Artificial intelligence
5) Machine Learning
6) 1nternet of Things (1OT)
7) Internet Security.
8) Computer Architecture
In the syllabus, topics may include related to the subject
contain:-
1) Introduction to computers, binary code, operating
systems, Computer networking.
2) Understand and perform basic calculations, analysis,
reasoning, and decision making using the C
programming language.
3) Python Programming, Python for Data Analysis.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of R
programming instructions execution.
4) Understand different approaches to solving AI
problems.
5) Understanding of machine learning techniques such
as nearest neighbor classifier, linear regression and
logistic regression.
6) IoT includes sensors, micro controller platforms,
Internet access, IoT servers, and standard cloud, IoT
protocols.
7) Cyber security, cyber laws, penetration testing and
encryption.
8) Understand basic computer organization and
computer architecture. Students will also be
introduced to applications of logic gates in computer
science.
CONCLUSION:
COVID-19 has shown us the path of digital
transformation. Civilization has started doing remote
online classes and work from home using high speed
online connectivity. Digital transformation goes at a faster
and better rate than ever before. Looking at the vision of
Maritime 4.0 – the autonomous vessels sound too
futuristic and taken from science fiction movies.
Although, as Bill Gates famously said, "We always
overestimate the changes that can happen in the next two
years and underestimate the changes that can happen in
the next ten years" (Gates, 1996). Technology
developments not brings job scarcity, it’s include new
opportunities with new variety of job requirements. Past
data of human civilization shows that the old model of
work gradually became obsolete, and a new work model
took over. Similarly autonomous shipping is the demand
for future. Autonomous ships offer significant safety
benefits also, as 75% of accidents at seafarers caused by
human error, the main cause of which is fatigue and lack
of attention. By technology advancement maritime safety
and pollution prevention motto will be enhanced. It’s also
cost saving for the ship owners, as no crew change
requirement will be there and the carbon foot print for
crew changing will be minimize with great extent. The
HA (highly Automated) Ships implementation of the
autonomous ship concept will have a major impact on
human resource management and regulatory body for
safety and pollution prevention. Although the job scarcity
may be address for autonomous vessels but the delay in
acceptance and implementation of regulatory
requirements, may delay the launching of such HA ships
in the market.

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inclusion of multi-disciplinary courses in Marine Engineering stream
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