The crucial role digital technology can play in helping the shipping industry to decarbonise will be showcased by connectivity specialist IEC Telecom during Europort 2023 in The Netherlands (November 7-10).

Gwenaël Lohéac, Managing Director & President – Europe, IEC Telecom Group, explained: “Digitalisation and decarbonisation go hand-in-hand. As shipping companies commit to the most fuel-efficient routes for their vessels to support carbon emission reduction targets, digital fleet management systems must also constantly evolve and utilise real-time data. Whether we look at vessel performance, sea conditions, or remote maintenance, digital technologies can help to prevent breakdowns and empower the shipping sector to remain competitive and sustainable.”

“With COP28 around the corner, we are committed to the progress of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming. We are excited to support our customers in this journey by enabling best-in-class connectivity solutions for their fleets,” Mr Lohéac said.

As digital technologies are adopted in the maritime sector, the need for decarbonisation measures is becoming increasingly apparent. As well as empowering decision-makers with data-driven recommendations, digital technologies on digitally-enabled vessels can reduce carbon emissions by 38% while enhanced connectivity can increase profitability by 4 to 17%.

Aligned with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) target to reduce carbon emissions from shipping by at least 40% by 2030, the European Commission is also introducing a range of environmental regulations to decarbonise the trade chain, including promoting the introduction of LNG infrastructure in its ports, supporting research into alternative fuels, introducing the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) which comes into force in 2024, as well as measures such as the European Green Deal which highlights Europe’s mission to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and to reduce GHG emissions by 90% across all transport modes.

In the global hub port of Rotterdam, home to the Europort event, innovative digital technologies are helping to optimise route planning and the berthing of ships, thus paving the way towards a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

Europort is renowned as the meeting place for maritime industry decision-makers and forms the perfect opportunity to discover current digital transformation trends, sustainable solutions, and smart technologies. As a leading provider of satellite communications solutions, IEC Telecom Group is at the forefront of meeting the increasing demand from ship operators for connectivity at sea, including applications linked to the cloud, the Internet of Things (IoT), safety solutions, and regulatory compliance.

IEC Telecom Group’s continued commitment to bringing the benefits of digitalisation to all types of vessels at sea is reflected in its new generation hybrid LEO/GEO/GSM connectivity solution for the maritime sector, the Xpand Portfolio. Xpand is powered by Starlink, offering network connectivity of up to 220Mbps across Starlink’s international footprint. Xpand also features resilient L-band back-up connectivity up to 700 kbps, powered by Iridium Certus® globally.

Enabled by the OneGate network management solution, Xpand supports terrestrial networks in close proximity to the shore. In addition, OneGate offers a wide range of value-added services such as filtration, bandwidth optimisation, credit limit management, 24/7 support, and more.

While digitalisation facilitates decarbonisation at sea, business continuity is the key to success. Applications such as videoconferencing, remote management, and CCTV surveillance help to resolve a lot of operational tasks while the vessel continues to follow its course, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Yet, there will be little to no use of these technologies if their operation is limited to the high-speed LEO line. Recognising this challenge, IEC Telecom has developed a suite of optimised applications, enabling its suite of services to fully function on connections of under 100 Kbps, thereby ensuring lasting digitisation and empowering decarbonisation at sea.

Alongside the latest innovations in the area of digital decarbonisation, the Xpand solution by IEC Telecom will be on display at Europort 2023. The event brings together key maritime stakeholders to share their valuable knowledge and experience in order to create new synergies and identify solutions as the European shipping industry sails rapidly towards a more sustainable future. Visit us on stand number 8301.