Mobile satcoms leader, Inmarsat, has published a report on attitudes to digitalisation in the ferry market.
This study drew on interviews with 10 leading ferry owners by consultancy JG Maritime Solutions and comes when the sector faces a major change in expectations on connectivity from passengers, crew and vessel operators.
The new ‘Global Status of Ferry Digitalisation Report – Uncovering the Passenger and Operational advantage’, authored by Ogilvy also includes passenger ship findings from ‘Digitalisation Uncovered’ – the Inmarsat-sponsored research project into digitalisation in global shipping launched in December, 2020.
The findings provide insights into the distinct pressures driving ferry digitalisation and an assessment of why and how higher-capacity satellite services can help control costs, create revenue, improve the passenger experience and help restore confidence in a sector severely affected by Covid-19, Inmarsat claimed.
“Previously, bandwidth limitations meant that the full potential of satellite technology had not been realised in the ferry sector,” said Les Shortall, Inmarsat’s Director of Market Development – Yachting and Passenger (pictured).
“This report demonstrates there are good reasons for owners to evaluate the flexible and affordable broadband services already serving tens of thousands of vessels worldwide and providing operational and safety benefits such as real-time situational awareness. Continuous connectivity and unlimited data are the keys to unlocking further cost reduction, enhancing the passenger experience and boosting revenues,” he said.
‘Digitalisation Uncovered’ found that one in four passenger shipowners said new revenues were a top three reason for digital investment, against a lower one in six for all shipowners.
Similarly, 18% of passenger shipowners saw creating new value for customers as a number one reason for digitalisation, versus only 13% of all owners. Furthermore, whilst 30% of all shipowners value digitalisation as a means of supporting compliance with regulations and certification, the figure for passenger shipowners was much higher at 43%.
Four out of 10 of the owner/operator interviewees in the report mentioned revenue generation as a primary investment driver. In North Europe, point of sale payment for duty free goods offers a promising revenue stream post-Brexit, for example, best enabled by continuous connectivity.
Ferry owners have been early adopters of the ‘smart’ technologies behind always-on emissions monitoring, voyage planning, predictive maintenance and situational awareness to enhance sustainability, efficiency, reliability and safety.
De-carbonisation goals are accelerating the adoption of electric-hybrid propulsion technology that works especially cost effectively when combined with IoT-based decision-making via satellite connectivity.
Interest is also high in how broadband capacity can be used to enable situational awareness to transform ferry safety and move from simple reactive distress reporting to real-time proactive safety services.
The interviews also highlight networked cyber security as a priority and welcome the introduction of IMO 2021 Cyber Security regulations.
Meanwhile, interviewees recognised drivers to utilise digital solutions in implementing new Covid-19 protocols and inspire confidence with ’biosafe’ contactless transactions. In addition, customers returning to sea post pandemic now have very different connectivity expectations.
“Inmarsat knows from its aviation experience that some passengers prioritise Wi-Fi access over inflight meals or entertainment when choosing airlines,” Shortall added. “Digitalisation can create new revenues but also expedite customer loyalty to help ensure ferries remain a preferred transport option. Robust new satellite technology and the advent of digital platforms can enable ferry operators to become leaner, increase their agility to deliver a safe travel experience and secure the opportunities offered by ancillary revenues.”
