3D printing and the future of shipping

THOSE of us who can remember the early days of the container revolution will recall its slow start, which went almost unnoticed. Then suddenly, or so it seemed, the world had changed almost beyond recognition. The once-ubiquitous general cargo ship was on a one-way trip to a breaker's beach, and purpose-built container ships took over the liner trades. More than that, the "box" transformed every aspect of transporting general cargo around the world.

I mention this because I wonder whether a similarly significant transformation has got underway again, almost unnoticed.

Recently, I received a press statement from online e-procurement portal for marine spares and equipment ShipParts.com. It is taking part in a project to find out how additive manufacturing - more commonly known as 3D printing - could revolutionise the way in which ships' spare parts are procured and delivered.