Emergency Contact The Changing Face of Shipping Home Latest updates News The Changing Face of Shipping 18 Jan 2023 Download Sign up for alerts The maritime industry does not have the luxury of standing still. Challenges placed on our industry come from a multitude of areas. Positive drivers like the growing green agenda driving fuel efficiencies, emissions target setting and the developments of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) promise to assist shipping meet environmental goals and a reduction in seafarer injury/death claims. Negative drivers at the other end of the spectrum provide additional pressures, such as the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and the current global geopolitical tensions and conflicts with their obvious risks to life, the environment and property. All these drivers, for good or bad are disruptors resulting in a tough operating environment for our sector. It is indisputable that technology is developing to deliver a solution to these challenges and many more beside. Alternative fuels, automation of systems and tracking of vessels are just three examples that spring to mind. Since its formation in 1855 the Shipowners’ Club has insured the smaller and specialist vessel sector. But what actually qualifies as a “specialist” vessel? Is it a type of vessel like MASS, seismic vessels or energy generating vessels harnessing kinetic energy from waves? Is “specialist” simply a function of the technology that is in use on board? Or does system automation, the use of alternative fuels or the application of blockchain solutions qualify as “specialist”? At the Club we think “specialist” applies to all these vast, and developing areas, that is why we embrace all areas equally, after all how long will it be before these new technologies become mainstream and the “new” traditional? In this series of articles, we will be inviting specialists and innovators to discuss new developments and new technologies. MASS, blockchain and decarbonisation are just some topic