The last decade has been challenging for the shipping industry, with fast-changing technology advancements, new global industry regulations and shifting world trade patterns. The recent COVID-19 crisis has further exposed the vulnerabilities of many businesses and put a renewed urgency for digitalisation to mitigate the disruptive impact on the global supply chain.

Recognising that digitalisation can help companies unlock new opportunities and empower employees to be innovative, efficient and productive to create more value for customers and shareholders, SSA co-developed the Maritime Digitalisation Playbook (MDP) with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), to help maritime companies with their digitalisation journey.

Ms. Caroline Yang President Singapore Shipping Association

"SSA initiated the co-development of the Maritime Digitalisation Playbook with MPA and IMDA as the parties saw the need to provide a practical guide to help maritime companies develop or retool their digitalisation capabilities to grapple with the fast-changing anomalous world. The MDP contains information and resources, that include templates and support programmes, to help companies identify and address target gaps to formulate or rethink their digitalisation strategy. We strongly encourage maritime companies, especially the small-medium enterprises (SMEs), to make use of the MDP to achieve their digitalisation vision."

Mr Steen Lund Chairman Digital Transformation Committee Singapore Shipping Association

"The Maritime Digitalisation Playbook is designed to guide and help maritime companies uncover opportunities in digital transformation. The systematic approach of the Playbook aims to assist users towards successful digitalization project implementation. We hope that the launch of this Maritime Digitalisation Playbook will help SSA members move their business strategy forward. The Digital Transformation Committee will pursue this framework by working together with our members in pushing for digital transformation at their respective organisations and make every individual competent in an ecosystem that increasingly depends on digital interoperability."

The MDP is designed as a guide to help companies assess their digitalisation maturity vis-à-vis the maritime sector. It is also a useful aid for companies new to digitalisation to formulate their digitalisation strategy, and help those that have developed their digitalisation plan review and rethink if their roadmaps need to be reshaped as digitalisation shifts the maritime landscape.

The MPD is organised into three sections – Discover, Framework, Resources. Companies are strongly encouraged to read the guide in its entirety at least once to have a good understanding of the state of digitalisation of the sea transport sector, and how to use the MDP effectively. Complementing the information in the MDP are Annexes and Templates. The Annexes include case studies on how companies in the sub-sectors such as shipping lines, ship management, ship agency and harbour craft are harnessing technologies across the value chain. The editable Templates enable companies to develop or redefine their digitalisation vision and roadmap to achieve their digitalisation ambition.

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This section covers an overview of the state of digitalisation in the Sea Transport Sector based on the Digital Acceleration Index (DAI) survey commissioned by IMDA. Over 200 maritime organisations participated in this study to self-assess their digital maturity. The results helped MPA establish the state of digitalisation of the sector and sub-sectors such as the shipping line, ship management, ship agency and harbour craft.

Companies can also refer to this section to find out the key global trends driving digitalisation, and look at examples of different technology application and the potential impact it can have on the planning, operations, commercial and support functions of maritime business. An example of this is the possible employ of virtual/augmented reality for remote marine survey and inspection when human interaction is restricted.