Shaping the future of shipping analytics: Five insights from Amitabh Sankranti
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
Welcome to a new series of blogs where we ask NAVTOR experts for their unique insights into key business areas – assessing challenges, identifying opportunities, and sharing knowledge about the very latest developments in smart shipping.
Take it away, Amitabh…
What do you see as the most noteworthy development in the industry over the course of the last year?
We are pleased to see a faster adoption rate and a wider acceptance of Digital Logbooks. By proving itself to be a critical piece for enabling digital transformation on board, the industry’s innovators and early adopters have already started to monetise the benefits from this transition.
The “Early Majority” that waited to ascertain the success of such an innovation, is now increasingly buying in.
Today, we currently see an adoption rate of around 15% for live digital log-keeping solutions, as forward-thinking owners and operators embrace Digital Logbooks in lieu of paper.
What key challenges face shipping companies and professionals in 2026 (and beyond)?
Digital transformation presents both opportunities, and challenges. There’s a clear need to plan and prepare properly to minimise both disruption and crew workload.
But of course, many of the challenges fall outside the control of the shipping companies. Some flag states impose extra costs, which can create a barrier to embracing digital, while there’s also a battle with outdated, impractical standards – e.g. the legacy requirement of storing data in a VDR from logbooks, when, in today’s world, every piece of data entered on board is available in the office within seconds. Some regulations clearly require revisiting.
Amitabh adds, “Another major change is the ever-changing nature of regulations and reporting requirements. New rules are being incrementally added, and this requires more crew training and auditing, posing some compliance and commercial risks”, (for example, those related to Ballast Water Management and Net Zero initiatives). Systems on board need to adapt quickly to such changes and make it possible for the seafarer to concentrate on their core job.
How can NAVTOR work to help its global customers meet these challenges?
When you adopt NAVTOR’s Digital Logbooks at scale, you save money. That’s right, it’s less expensive than keeping paper logs. We have more than 15 individual logbooks on our platform and, with the inclusion of “Customisable Operational Logbooks”, there are real economies of scale to realise.
The fact that we have an integrated digital ecosystem, with NavBox at its core, also makes it easier to adopt. In short, it minimises disruption and crew workload, with sensor data integrations, streamlined deployment and easily customisable logs.
The simplicity extends to compliance as digital workflows ease adaptation to changing requirements. Minimal training, minimal risk, maximum benefits.
Looking into your crystal ball, what issues do you believe will define maritime developments in the year to come?
“With the world inhabited by ‘digital natives’ the systems on board vessels will need to be reshaped to embrace the next generation of workers”. AI will no doubt have an impact there, with more workflows digitised and automated, as embedded AI functionality is increasingly integrated for decision support. I also anticipate a decline in traditional ERP and PMS systems, as they’re replaced by simpler, modern systems utilising IoT data.
What’s one maritime innovation you wish existed but doesn’t (yet)?
“Digital technology is transforming shipping, but we are still in the early stages of unlocking its full value. We need a set of Common Data Sharing Standards and Equipment Standards that increase interoperability between equipment, stakeholders, processes, and Human-Machine Interfaces.” says Amitabh.
We are yet to develop a widely accepted, winning common standard that will create significant value for all stakeholders. Without it, the high cost of integrating systems on board continues to act as a barrier to innovation.
Today, remote operating stations for ships and autonomous vessels are limited to a few sectors, because they are costly and not yet mainstream. We are waiting for an innovation, that will enable seamless interoperability between regulations, equipment, and software.
