The “Maritime Agenda : 2010 – 2020” notified by the Ministry of Shipping gives much importance to the shipping sector – the role of the administration, the statutory bodies towards legislative upgradation and a special chapter focuses on Maritime Education and the quality of Seafarers from India to get them ready to face the ever-changing technology.The issue of technology integration in ship operations and ship management is already a premature arrival of the future for the shipping industry. The impact is akin to the change brought about from sail to steam and altering the pattern so much as to be threatening to displace many practices that have characterized the seaman’s art through the ages.
It is a universally accepted fact that 80% of errors have been assigned to human factors – the result of our short-sighted error investigation system that is keener in culpability and liability issues, giving rise to such statistics. Root cause analysis brings out totally different picture now dealt with in the light of human – machine interaction.
Shipping provides services with the ship that operates remotely and in a high risk environment. Technology including ICT (Information Communication Technology) infrastructure is now seen to be increasingly rendering ship manager capable of holistically managing ship operations to this end. However, its impact in improving service performance is far below the expectations. Contributing factors for this are noted to be the lack of adequate scientific approach to technology integration, in as much as lack of any lessons drawn from success in other industries. There is indeed a large potential for optimization and further enhancement where human factors play a key role.
The challenging issues that need to be addressed are
Design, being technology-led rather than design-for-use, has major influence on frequency of occurrence of human error, more so when different equipment are integrated.
There are limitations in assessments and approvals by statutory bodies like classification societies of such integrated systems, ergonomics and human considerations.
There is so much information clutter in ship management that leads to a stringent attitude, with no regard to the seafarers’ capability at the receiving end.
Inadequacy of seafarer training in this modern technology that is so different from those learnt during qualification will lead to lack of their cognitive ability to handle such systems.
Automation has led to reduced manning levels – leading to reduced maintenance and repair work that reduces the effectiveness of the seafarer who is not exposed to the learning experience that is associated with it and their effectiveness is reduced when handling emergencies.
Seafaring skills seem a thing of the past and situational awareness is lacking amongst seafarers in the present day context.
Over-reliance in technology by developed countries vis-a-vis unfamiliar crew operating such vessels of FOC is becoming a global threat. Poor technology integration added to crew fatigue, stress, isolation and unique work environment of ships are indeed the present day serious concerns.
Future regulations are mandating technology integration bringing out technology-driven training modules. Increasing sophistication of vessels and associated equipment as well as rising concern about possible pollution that can be caused by ship accidents has led to greater importance on a well-designed education system and a structured method of knowledge dissemination. These developments have necessitated presence of a large number and variety of skills amongst seafarers. Imparting these skills has become a critical issue today.
There is an urgent need for the industry to look into these aspects and suggest necessary changes that can be imbibed in the “Maritime Agenda – 2010 – 2020″ that is being put into effect.
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