Page 72 - Next Generation 2015 - Digtial Issue
P. 72
Next Generation Technology
NEXT WE NEED TO
GENERATION BE READY FOR
TECHNOLOGY
DISRUPTION
Huge leaps in technology have changed
our lives elsewhere — we can expect
significant change to our shipping live,
says Lloyd’s Register’s Tom Boardley
FIFTY years is a long time. If we are changes in trade and technology are
impressed by developments since 1965, likely to cause significant disruption in
the next 50 years could provide the shipping.
opportunity for society and technology
to further transform our lives in ways We need to be ready for disruption.
that we could never have imagined. And we need to be surprised.
Somebody transported from 1965 In the organisation I work for,
to today might be surprised to see we are principally involved with
cars still on the roads but would be technical side of shipping — with the
impressed that they don’t rust any more development of technology and its
and that we are talking about ‘hands- application.
free’ operation. However, they probably
couldn’t have anticipated the degree, If we can say that the past 30
and low cost, of connectivity that to 40 years have been pretty stable
everyone has with smartphones and in terms of marine technology and
communications. practice as applied in shipping, then
the next 30 to 40 years could be a time
So I am cautious about suggesting of huge change. Some trades or ship
what’s to come. But with trade types could disappear. Huge leaps in
continuing to expand in the coming technology have changed our lives
years and decades, projections suggest elsewhere — we can expect significant
that global seaborne trade could change to our shipping lives too.
double by 2030. If that trend continues
on to 2060, then in nearly 50 years we Previously I have said that
will be looking at four times as much shipping is ready for a technological
cargo carried on the seas. revolution. And technical change is
already happening — mainly, so far, to
However, I think we should be improve environmental performance,
sceptical whether such growth is either particularly in the area of emissions.
sustainable or desirable; significant The adoption of new fuel options, such
as liquefied natural gas, technology
70 | Lloyd’s List Next Generation 2015 | www.lloydslist.com
