The usage of cloud computing services onshore began decades ago, and in the last several years this innovative technology found a sea of opportunities onboard ships, shipping companies, and other maritime institutions. Various maritime and shipping companies have recognized the benefits of this technology and have implemented cloud computing models to increase the efficiency of vessels. The advantages provided by this technology are reflected in the reduction of operating costs and the price of IT elements (hardware, software, databases, networks), maintenance of computing resources without additional training of employees, and acquisition of new licenses for applications and programs. All these benefits empower shipping companies, particularly ships, to enhance and efficiently carry out maritime processes controlled by computers. The developments in information and telecommunication technologies induced better opportunities for the transfer, processing, storage, and protection of data via satellites.
The Three Cloud Service models for The Maritime Industry
Cloud computing is an information technology that allows for three cloud service models of providing services, often referred to as the SPI (Software, Platform, Infrastructure) models:
SaaS (Software as a Service) – the user is given the possibility to use available applications implemented in the cloud’s infrastructure. This model provides for the use of a single application by more shipping companies or similar maritime institutions (e.g. applications for managing ships or HR applications).
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) – the user is given the possibility to use a computing infrastructure. Shipping companies and maritime sectors will not have to buy memory space for saving data, computers/servers, elements of computer networks, etc. The Infrastructure as a Service operator manages the entire information infrastructure, while the user is accountable for other service implementation activities.
PaaS (Platform as a Service) –the user is provided with a development infrastructure i.e. the user develops its own applications, their implementation in the cloud infrastructure, and application management. The user can access the services of a development platform that includes virtual machines and operating systems. These services are limited in terms of design and operator’s cloud computing possibilities so the user does not have full service.
Advantages Of Using Cloud Computing For Maritime Or Shipping Industry
The advantages of using cloud computing for maritime subjects include:
- Lower prices of hardware and software
- With a proper internet connection, users can access software and data from any computer onboard the ship
- Lower costs of maintenance of hardware and software
- Possibility of rendering services to all company ships
- Continuous monitoring of maritime processes
- Increased employee efficiency
- All information and documents at one location, etc.
Shipping companies and other maritime sectors will need to analyze a series of questions if they hope to move their business services into the “cloud” environment, such as:
- Which cloud service model to choose;
- Which model to use?
- Which security controls to implement?
- Which information to put in the cloud?
- Which applications to put in the cloud? and many others.
Besides, the shipping companies should also consider, compare and examine all service operators and deployment models found on the IT market. Shipping companies can store data, applications, functions, and maritime processes within the cloud. The shipping company’s business operations based on the “cloud” reduce and even eliminate the complexity of the business processes associated with its IT infrastructure and include security, data availability, and storage, backup files, and development of all assignments associated with the cloud.
Applications of Cloud Computing in the Maritime Or Shipping Industry
Ship/ fleet management
Cloud applications are designed to meet all the demands placed on the crew of a ship so that the crew can effectively plan and execute the assigned tasks. The employees onshore has insight into the execution of the tasks set for each individual ship in the fleet. This task sets consists of the following modules: preparation, fleet certificates, voyage management, fuel consumption data, maintenance e-log books such as ship position, engine room analysis, fuel and energy settings.
Maintenance management
There are cloud-based software applications that support/allows the planning and execution of ship maintenance procedures, management of spare parts and materials of individual ships as well as the entire fleet. The software automatically informs the crew of preplanned actions, such as the maintenance of an individual component with all the necessary information.
Document management
There are cloud-based software applications that help manage documents (document editing, archives, distribution, and control of document versions). This function enables secure access to any document. Moreover, access can be limited, to a particular level, for individual crew members (ongoing or completed task, inventory status, and all other relevant documents for ship management) or for any employee onshore (a constant overview of completed tasks at fleet level).
Reporting
Applications that enable the creation of dynamic standard or own reports according to various criteria that range from the operation of individual equipment, maintenance activities, finance, and surveillance. It provides an overview of the current status of each individual ship or fleet and presents timely and accurate information to decision-makers.
Conclusion
The use of cloud computing services improves cost savings in developing and maintaining an internal infrastructure, operating expenses such as those allocated for the maintenance of IT resources. Moreover, it gives the shipping sector a possibility of quicker and more comprehensive development, a possibility of enhancing existing services or investments into new and thus further development of its IT sector. In the near future, the shipping companies will recognize the positive aspects of cloud computing and is sure to implement it in the management of their fleets, regardless of their size.
