Three tech challenges for Malaysia’s marine industry

Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry listed out three major technology related challenges for Malaysia’s marine industry.

Artificial intelligence (AI) was listed among them.

“First, decarbonisation.

“As shipping is getting more concerned with climate change, and with the International Maritime Organisation coming up with newer regulations as time goes by, it is imperative that the marine industry takes bolder steps to leapfrog, whether it is in electrification, sustainable fuels, or other energy efficiency measures.

“Second, artificial intelligence

“The advent of AI will have an impact on the shipbuilding industry, one way or the other. It may help to make predictive maintenance easier or make ship design more efficient, the point is we can’t pretend that it doesn’t exist.

“Third, unmanned technologies.

“Drones and unmanned ships have become main features in the Ukraine War, the shipbuilding industry will have to grapple with more use and demand for unmanned ships in the foreseeable future.

“As far as new growth opportunities, apart from building ships for defence and security (such as Navy or Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency), commercial shipping, fisheries, oil and gas, it is time to look at new emerging demands, such as ships needed for the rollout of undersea data cables, which is growing at breakneck pace due to the boom of AI.”

He said this at the Association of Marine Industries of Malaysia (AMIM) annual dinner that was held last night.