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SHIPPING IN THE ERA OF DIGITALIZATION

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The so-called “Fourth Industrial revolution”, also termed as “Industry 4.0” in the wider literature, is associated with several cutting-edge technologies. Indicative examples in this category are advanced applications like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics (BDA), Cloud Computing and Internet of Things (IoT), which are already influencing the maritime industry. It is indicative of the fact that there are several construction projects of autonomous ships, such as the Yara Birkeland and the Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship (ASDS), which are heavily reliant on technologies associated with the Industry 4.0 concept. The maritime transport industry is already transitioning into a new operations paradigm, often termed as “shipping in the era of digitalization”. Shipping companies promote digitalization as the future of the maritime industry and their efforts to set up strategies are already in progress. Examining those visions and strategies in relation to digitalization would be...

CARBON INTENSITY INDICATOR (CII)

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WHAT IS CARBON INTENSITY? In the shipping industry, carbon intensity is the measure of a ship’s GHG emissions relative to the amount of cargo carried over a certain distance. This metric is preferable to total carbon emissions as a measure of a vessel’s environmental impact because it controls for periods of inactivity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, total vessel GHG emissions briefly declined as more ships remained docked; this, of course, was due to a dip in supply chain productivity, not because of more efficient shipping. Carbon intensity, on the other hand, takes economic activity into account, providing a more realistic measure of the shipping industry’s progress toward a more sustainable future. OVERVIEW OF THE CARBON INTENSITY INDICATOR (CII): Regulators and other stakeholders in the maritime industry are intensifying their efforts to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping. The IMO, as the international regulatory body, set a Greenhouse Gas Re...

MEANINGS OF INTERNATIONAL MARITIME SIGNAL FLAGS

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International maritime signal flags are various flags used to communicate with ships. The principal system of flags and associated codes is the International Code of Signals. Various navies have flag systems with additional flags and codes, and other flags are used in special uses, or have historical significance A Alfa - Diver below (when stationary); I am undergoing a speed trial B Bravo - I am taking on or discharging explosives C Charlie - (affirmative) D Delta - keep clear of me, I am manoevering with difficulty E Echo - I am altering my course to starboard F Foxtrot - I am disabled, communicate with me G Golf - I require a pilot H Hotel - I have a pilot on board I India - I am altering my course to port J Juliett - I am going to send a message by semaphore K Kilo - you should stop your vessel instantly L Lima - you should stop, I have something important to communicate M Mike - I have a doctor on board N November - no (negative) O Oscar - man overboar...