Have you ever wondered how shipping companies get their cargo from A to B while keeping their staff safe? As you would probably expect, things have changed a lot in recent times thanks to advancements in technology. These days, it’s almost impossible for a vessel to get lost or sink when traveling on the ocean. With that in mind, we wanted to take a look at just some of the tech devices used by ALL merchant specialists today. Hopefully, you’ll leave us with a better understanding of the industry and how it operates. At the end of the day, most of the products you purchase have reached your home via this method.
Electronic navigation systems
Up until the 1980s, most ship’s captains needed excellent map reading skills. While that’s still a requirement, many of them haven’t even looked at a map for many years. That is because they now use electronic navigation systems to ensure they’re always headed in the right direction. Electronic chart display and information standards have completely revolutionised the industry. Capitals only have to enter their destinations, and the technology will take them where they want to go. There are hundreds of different designs on the market, but most of them work using the same principals.
Water ingress detection systems
Knowing when a ship begins to take on too much water is handy. Indeed, water ingress detection systems could have stopped hundreds of shipwrecks over the years. The issue is that water tends to enter the vessel at the bulkhead. It could be hours or even days before anyone notices without this technology. Nearly all ships contain pumps to remove water today. So, workers can stop them from sinking if they see the issue early enough. These systems have helped to save thousands of lives, and they’re the most important component for crew welfare.
Drones and UAVs
There is no getting away from the fact that shipping companies have to travel through dangerous waters. Unless they use a scouting boat, there is no way of knowing what might lie ahead. That was until recently when merchant firms began to use drone technology. A worker aboard the ship can send the device off into the distance to take photographs or videos. So, it’s now easier than ever to avoid adverse situations. The technology is cheap and reliable. That is why so many of the top operations use it today.
You should now have a better understanding of the use of technology in the shipping industry. There is always more to learn, and so you should continue your research. New advancements appear every single day, and we’ve only touched the surface with this post. Without the tech mentioned in this article, the shipping world would be far more dangerous than it is right now. Will we continue to see new cutting-edge devices making their way onto merchant’s vessels? That is almost guaranteed. The industry is worth billions, and companies will always invest in products that keep their workers safe. Failure to do that would mean they lose a phenomenal amount of cash through compensation.
