Connecting crew welfare with connectivity
There has been some debate over the past few years about the benefits and dangers of connectivity on board. But in a progressively connected society, it is clear that whether it is deemed good or bad, shipping can't afford to miss out on being included in this new hyper-connected world.
In shipping, the importance and significance of connectivity go beyond digitalisation. It directly impacts those in the industry who have previously been isolated and allows a sense of closeness to those on shore - seafarers.
Writing for the World Economic Forum, BCG Senior Partner and Managing Director Jorge Becerra noted: “as most digital transformation across industries and countries continues to unfold, the people dimension of these transformations has emerged as the key to unlocking value and ensuring the sustainability of the changes”.
Discussing the opportunities and challenges, Stephen Conley, Maritime Market Segment Lead at SES Networks, gave us a vision of a connected crew and vessel.
How important is connectivity to crew welfare?
Crew members have come to expect the same ubiquitous connectivity they receive onshore when they’re offshore as well – seafarers are bringing their devices on board with them, and they want to be able to view video content, connect with social media and communicate with friends and family. According to a recent Futurenautics survey, 92% of seafarers report that Internet access strongly influences their decision on where to work. That statistic is resonating with shipowners as they look at the human capital requirements they’re facing ahead – connectivity is particularly important to the younger, digital-savvy crew members that are essential to operate tomorrow’s connected vessels.
What value can connectivity provide to crew beyond entertainment?
As ships become increasingly connected, it drives the need for a crew with a more targeted skill set. Going forward, seafarers will likely need to understand Java or Python software as much as they will need to master four-stroke engine maintenance. Online learning can provide crew with these skills while at sea, allowing them to fulfill training requirements without cutting into their onshore leave.
Telemedicine is another area where connectivity can have a significant effect on crew welfare. The combination of onboard medical monitoring equipment and high-quality connectivity can ensure accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment while minimizing the need for ships to divert for medical emergencies.
What challenges do shipowners face in providing that level of connectivity?
The challenge is that seafarers aren’t just looking for Internet access – they’re increasingly demanding high-quality, reliable connection that allows them to get a hold of services and applications they’re able to access at home. They particularly want to leverage video applications such as streaming content and chatting, and they want their access to be reasonably priced or free. As the bar is raised on an acceptable level of connectivity, it creates additional complexity and cost for shipowners, particularly smaller vessels.
What is SES Networks doing to address those challenges?
Our connected maritime solution is based on a global managed platform optimized for maritime requirements, including global bandwidth management capabilities, flexible bandwidth allocation and automatic beam switching. When it is is combined with SES’s advanced satellite capabilities and service life-cycle expertise and delivered as a managed service offering by maritime service providers, it supports the delivery of seamless, reliable broadband connectivity to seafarers regardless of ship location. Our ongoing investment in both space and ground assets, including high-throughput satellites and our next-generation O3B mPOWER system, ensures that future-proof coverage, paving the way for ship owners to continue to attract and retain the highly qualified crew they will need to succeed going forward.
About Stephen Conley
Stephen is responsible for developing and maintaining an in depth understanding of the maritime market and ship owner and operator’s connectivity requirements. Insights from Stephen and his team is used to drive the innovation input cycle for SES Network’s Product Line Management. This enables development and successful delivery of market-leading connectivity products and service solutions for the commercial shipping market and related logistics and transportation sectors. Stephen joined SES in 2012, working first with the European development team in the Netherlands before relocating to Washington DC to head up Product Development for maritime. He is currently based in Miami, with a global responsibility to develop SES Network’s maritime segment. Previous experience includes a mixture of technical and business roles, including network operations, sales engineering, capacity procurement, asset management and yield management for some of the world’s most successful service providers and teleport and satellite operators.
Stephen holds a BSc Honours degree in Telecommunications Engineering from Glasgow University, and a Master’s in Business Administration from The Hague University.
Email: stephen.conley@ses.com
Mobile: +1 202 748-1427