Survey paints a picture of how ships will operate in 2035

A recent survey carried by Splash and Inmarsat, published in Ship Concept 2035, reveals a maritime industry poised for profound change by the next decade, driven by accelerating technological advancements. While optimism abounds for enhanced safety and efficiency, significant challenges remain concerning workforce adaptation, energy transition, and the ability of global legislation to keep pace.

A striking finding from the survey indicates that nearly half (49%) of respondents believe more than 50% of daily manual operations at sea will be made redundant by 2035. This anticipated surge in automation is expected to lead to a significant shift in crew numbers, with a combined 50% expecting either less or much less crew onboard. Consequently, the survey highlights a critical need for reskilling and upskilling, with a large majority anticipating that 50% or more of existing crewmembers will require new training to adapt to emerging technologies like digital twins and autonomous vessels. Future seafarers will need new skills in areas such as data analysis, cybersecurity, remote operations, and software management.

The survey shows a strong expectation that IT will lead to a decrease or significant decrease in maritime incidents. However, this increased reliance on technology introduces new vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity emerges as the paramount safety concern with increasing automation, followed by equipment malfunction and human error in oversight, underscoring the need for robust digital defences and comprehensive training.

Despite the push for digitalisation, the vision of a fully connected office onboard with free, full broadband internet for the entire fleet appears to be a more distant reality, with respondents anticipating only a small percentage of the fleet will achieve this by 2035. Communication methods between vessel and shore are expected to evolve significantly, moving towards more data exchange and AI-driven solutions.

Perhaps one of the most pressing concerns highlighted by the survey is the widespread belief that global legislation will struggle to keep pace with technological innovations through 2035, with a resounding 74% of respondents expressing this view. This potential regulatory gap could create uncertainties and hinder the smooth adoption of new advancements.

Furthermore, despite the ongoing drive towards decarbonisation, a substantial portion of the global fleet is still expected to rely on traditional bunker fuel by 2035, with 50% of respondents projecting that 50% or more of the fleet will still consume traditional bunker fuel. 

Full results of the survey are carried below.