The Ship Supplier

As the maritime industry increasingly embraces digital transformation, the need for advanced technological solutions has never been more critical.

Enter SmartSea – a new business backed by aviation IT giant SITA – which is leveraging decades of experience and cutting-edge expertise from the aviation sector, to make shipping smarter, safer and more streamlined. SITA provides the IT backbone behind airport operations globally and SmartSea’s aim is to introduce the tried and tested technologies from aviation to bring improvements and encourage joined up thinking across all sectors of the maritime industry including ship supply. With SmartSea, shipping is no longer just about moving goods from point A to point B; it’s about doing so with the precision, reliability, and foresight that modern technology enables. The ship supply sector, historically reliant on manual processes and fragmented systems, can also get on board this technological revolution. SmartSea’s vision is for ships, ports, and control centres to communicate seamlessly, sharing real-time data to transform decision-making and efficiency. Part of this aim is for its integrated maritime management platform (CMP) to provide a comprehensive suite of services that digitise everything from inventory management and procurement to logistics and delivery coordination. This shift towards digitalisation promises to reduce costs, minimise errors, and significantly improve the speed and accuracy of supply operations, ultimately leading to more reliable and efficient ship supply chains.

These technologies will enable real-time tracking of supplies, predictive maintenance of equipment, and automated ordering systems, ensuring that ships are always adequately stocked and operational without the delays and inefficiencies that have traditionally plagued the sector. Columbia Shipmanagement’s decision to adopt SmartSea’s technology underscores the platform’s potential to revolutionise ship supply operations. By leveraging SmartSea’s digital solutions, CSM can access end-to-end IT services that cater to both onshore and offshore needs. This integration will enable a seamless flow of information across all stages of the supply chain, improving decision-making, reducing waste, and enhancing overall operational efficiency. Julian Panter, CEO of SmartSea, highlighted the strategic significance of this venture, emphasising how SITA’s aviation technologies will fast-track the maritime industry’s digitalisation. “By introducing solutions that have been proven in the aviation sector, SmartSea is set to elevate the ship supply sector to new levels of technological sophistication,” he said.

"These technologies will enable real-time tracking of supplies, predictive maintenance of equipment, and automated ordering systems."

The ship supply sector is also poised to benefit from advancements in data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). SmartSea’s platform will enable stakeholders to analyse vast amounts of data generated from ship operations and supply chains, offering insights that can be used to optimise inventory levels, predict supply needs, and reduce downtime. AI-driven forecasting models can anticipate demand patterns, allowing suppliers to pre-position goods at strategic locations, reducing lead times and ensuring that ships receive necessary supplies without delay. Mr Panter added: “The ship supply sector, often hampered by slow and manual processes, can now leverage digital tools to create a more agile and responsive supply chain that meets the demands of modern maritime operations. Cybersecurity, a problem raised by many ship suppliers, is another critical area where SmartSea’s technology will make a significant impact. Drawing on SITA’s experience in safeguarding aviation’s complex digital infrastructure, SmartSea will implement advanced cybersecurity protocols to protect maritime supply chains from cyber threats.

“This will ensure the integrity and security of critical systems, reducing the risk of disruptions caused by cyberattacks,” explained Simon Fotakis (pictured above), Director of Sales at SmartSea. SmartSea’s technology is also set to transform passenger experiences in cruise and ferry operations by integrating systems such as unified booking and automated luggage transfer, which are common in the aviation industry. SmartSea has identified synergies with cruise terminals too and by bringing airport technology into the terminals, it can streamline the boarding and check-in process for passengers such as enabling them to walk through smart gates and use facial recognition as their tickets and to verify their identity, thus reducing time spent at the terminal. Through the adoption of similar technologies, the maritime sector can provide passengers with a seamless and efficient experience, further aligning the industry with other technologically advanced sectors. By driving digitalisation, improving operational efficiency, and implementing advanced cybersecurity measures, SmartSea is poised to set new industry standards, making the ship supply sector more resilient, efficient, and responsive to the demands of the modern maritime world.

SmartSea to transform ship supply with aviation-based technology