Technology has optimized management time and created flexible working hours
Emphasising on cyber hygiene for a secure shipping industry
As the pandemic hit the globe and forced people to isolate themselves and work from home, a wave of digitalisation and online work took over the world and created a new normal for operations in the industry. Although usage of technology increased drastically and enhanced the efficiency of operations, cyber security became a cause for concern. In such a scenario, organisations were pushed to step up and address these security concerns. Organisations like Constellation Marine Services LLC that is a marine surveying consultancy company that specializes in maritime and energy claims, offshore marine warranty inspection, ship and cargo inspections for principals, insurance companies, charterers, and P&I Clubs supported key industry players through their cyber security solutions.
In conversation with Marasi News, Capt. Zarir Irani, CEO, Constellation Marine Services, stressed on cyber vulnerability as a darker side of digitalisation, and highlighted the company’s approach towards solving the issue.
How do you oversee the shipping industry
for the post-covid era?
The post-covid era is going to make the shipping industry more resilient
to change than ever before. Having gone through all those issues
with seafarers and various other hindrances, the industry has coped
with a lot of uncertainties, distress, and mental stress, thus making
it much stronger and prepared for challenges. Moreover, I think
that the industry has become more empowered by the decision-making
power given to senior ship officers on-board with less meddling
from managers in the office. Furthermore, the role of technology
in the industry will become more prominent with more companies willing
to embrace it, thus ensuring a fast-paced advancement in digitalization.
Therefore, more resilience, better decision-making on- board, and
increased acceptance of technology are my top picks.
The maritime industry has shown exceptional
steady growth dur- ing the pandemic, to what extent does that reflect
on your compa- ny’s performance?
Our company has had a very good retention rate of clients due to
the fact that we stand out of the crowd in terms of deliverance
and value proposition, which has always been unique as compared
to the others in the business, and has clearly shown benefits. We
focus on creating value for our existing clients and it is well
known that we provide services that are distinctly different from
the “average Joes" of our segment. In the past year, clients have
come back to us because of the little extra step we take to prove
our worth, create value, and give that little extra service delivery
to our regular commodities, which are consultancy, surveying, and
cyber security. This approach keeps us ahead of the pack with an
ever-increasing market share. Over the years, we have seen growth,
and our team has expanded despite the difficult times.
How much of an impact do you think
that advancement in tech- nology has caused the shipping industry?
Advancement in technology has optimised management time, and has
created flexible working hours for professionals, which is seen
in offshore and onshore working habits. Moreover, despite the extra
stress that the shipping staff has gone through while accepting
massive changes during the pandemic, including the difficulties
-aces by them in getting off their ships on time after finishing
their duty, they have fought hard and have ensured that minimum
disruption is caused to a new monster that we have created by the
work from home culture that has been developed, and that is cyber
vulnerability. The cyber hygiene of individuals has come forth and
it has created a new risk that every shipping company has to cope
up with. Cyber vulnerability is here to stay and with it comes the
need to enhance cyber hygiene amongst everyone involved. We have
a service vertical to address this through our Abu Dhabi office
and have seen a robust response.
How do you foresee the future of
automated vessels?
I see potential, but in the distant future, perhaps 2050 and beyond.
However, automation is an ongoing process. It is growing every single
day, and if you were to see it after a couple of years, you would
realise that it has grown a lot. Automation is already happening
and is prominent in the industry. It happened when the Global Maritime
Distress and 'Safety System (GMDSS) took over, and when weatherfax
started coming in, so that is automation in progress. Therefore,
automation is like a growing child; if you see this child in 2050,
you will end up seeing a grown- up and automated industry rather
than it being noticed everyday as we are in it and monitoring it
everyday.
In your opinion, how actively did
P&I companies take part in the road to recovery of the maritime
industry?
Insurers have always kept the clients’ interests at the forefront.
They are the risk undertakers, have always had the change and dynamics
of the industry ahead of themselves, and have always been in tune
with it as much as asset owners have thought of it. Insurers have
delivered to their expectations and the proof is in the pudding.
The IG P&I group, which insures over 90 per cent of the world's
tonnage, has retained that tonnage even in these difficult times.
So, in other words, the fixed premium buzz that has been picking
up in the past couple of years has still not affected the majority
of the world’s tonnage, which speaks volume about how well the insurers
have been performing over the years. Therefore, IG P&I clubs have
always tried to offer their services to suit the industry s macro-economic
conditions and have adapted well to retain the majority of their
3rd party insurance market which constitutes over 90 per cent of
the world›s tonnage. This speaks volume of them adapting well to
the conditions prevailing around them.1
About the Author
By: Manar Al Amin | Marasi News
