Digital innovation key to maritime industry's future

"DIGITISATION is for all of us, from the CEO to the youngest man on the deck," said Ibrahim Gokcen, AP Moller -Maersk's first ever chief digital officer, about the company's digital vision last June. I agree. Our traditional industries are forced to search for digital innovation to stay buoyant. To support such successful transition, we as governments must facilitate new partnerships, living labs and exchange of talents.

Seafarers established the Singaporean-Danish relationship. Today, with the Singapore Maritime Week in full swing, the maritime ties are as close as ever. After a prolonged downturn, the outlook is improving in the maritime industry and untraditional partnerships pave the way for new growth.

The recent funding partnership to set up Maritime Blockchain Labs between Lloyd's Register Foundation and Danish Blockchain Labs for Open Collaboration (BLOC) is an example in point. The partnership is set to explore the use of blockchain, to assure safety of critical infrastructure while creating a direct line of talent sharing. The first project is taking place in Singapore with a focus on fuel bunkering.