The Future of Marine Engineering Over the Next Ten Years

Marine engineering, an amazing field that combines the principles of marine science and engineering, is on the peak of transformative vicissitudes. In the near future and not more than the next decade, the role of marine engineers would be seen by the outside world as a myriad of technical advancements, eco-friendly concerns, with momentous shifts in shipping methods in the near future. This essay intends to delve into the expanses where marine engineers, would have to follow the major advancements, in the upcoming years, the challenges that they may face, and finally the opportunities that will arise out of these challenges.

The advent of green fuel usage within the maritime industry is increasing leaps and bounds. The marine industry is now on its way to achieve reduction in carbon emissions so as to adhere to stricter environmental regulations. Marine engineers will play a crucial role in designing, executing, and maintaining the various machinery associated with the use of such fuel. We may expect a paradigm shift in the not only the use of the fuel but also the various machinery reactions to changeover of this fuel.

• Alternative Fuels: Marine engineers will need to trained in understanding the properties of these new fuels, their handling requirements, and their impact on engine performance and maintenance. Transition from traditional fossil fuels to alternative, more sustainable energy sources such as LNG, hydrogen biofuels and ammonia are already on the anvil and will be the fuel of the future. Training ashore for these fuels will be the key to accomplish operational excellence.
  
• Hybrid and Electric Propulsion Systems:  I can now imagine an ever-growing number of new-build vessels utilizing eco-friendly solutions. These solutions will run parallel, in conjunction with traditional engines or even fully-electric systems, particularly in inland sea transport. It is just a matter of time when these will be integrated into the mainstream fleet of vessels. Marine engineers will need to be at the forefront of this transition, working on the integration of these systems into existing engines. Adaptability will be the key !
  
• Emission Control Technologies: IMO 2020 regulations have made the use of advanced emission control technologies, such as scrubbers and selective catalytic reduction systems mandatory. Competency levels for these systems will need to be high amongst marine engineers, irrespective of their ranks. All marine engineers, both, ashore and at sea, will especially be required to be trained for optimizing their operation to ensure compliance with environmental standards.

The concept of autonomous and remotely controlled vessels which appeared as a sci-fi movie, impossible to achieve, is a reality today! Significant advancements in this area may be expected in the coming years. The need for safer, more efficient, and cost-effective engines will be the need of the hour.

• Autonomous Vessels: A fully autonomous ship would be able to carry out its routine operations using automated systems ashore, without any human intervention onboard whatsoever. Basically, the ship is controlled and operated from another location. There are no seafarers on board. The development of autonomous vessels, without human intervention, is progressing rapidly. Autonomous vessels will rely on progressive sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning procedures to make real-time decisions, with the engineer sitting remotely to access these risks and supplement these decisions. I feel that each marine engineer shall be an integral tool in maintaining the complex systems that power these autonomous ships, ensuring they operate safely and efficiently.
  
• Remote Control Operations: If fully autonomous vessels are already the norm, remote-controlled operations will become more common. Crew will no longer be required to be physically present onboard their ships, thereby potentially increasing safety by removing the seafarer from hazardous environment. Each marine engineer will be needed to be trained to do this, as time immemorial, they are more “set” on an “hands-based” approach to tackling machinery issues.
  
• Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity has already been a major bone of contention with potentially damaging consequences in the shipping industry, in recent times. However, this will become even more accentuated with the increasing reliance on automation, especially with ships been run remotely. Each marine engineer should be able to troubleshoot cyber issues, atleast minor ones, with ease, rather than heavily dependent upon shore facilities to circumvent them.

More and more data onboard is becoming digitized. The maritime industry is experiencing a huge and rapid transformation in this regard, with millions of data being transported between vessel and shore offices. This is expected to reduce the manual labour out of any such tasks, improving operational efficiency, safety, and decision-making. Over the next decade, marine engineers will need to embrace digitalization and data analytics as integral components of their work.

• Predictive Maintenance: The use of data analytics for predictive maintenance systems is set to revolutionize the way marine engineers tackle machinery maintenance onboard. Various parameters will be fed in, in one single monitoring system, which can be easily viewed ashore as well. Furthermore, the system will analyze data from various remote sensors placed throughout the ship, eliminating the need for physical rounds. This will assist the marine engineer to predict when and where maintenance is needed, reducing downtime and preventing costly failures, even remotely! This shift towards condition-based maintenance will require marine engineers to be proficient in data interpretation (as data overload may be a possible by-product).
  
• Digital Twins: The concept of digital twins—virtual replicas of physical assets—will become increasingly important in the maritime industry. These digital models allow engineers to simulate and analyze vessel performance in real-time, leading to more informed decision-making. Marine engineers will need to develop skills in creating and utilizing digital twins to optimize ship design, operation, and maintenance.
  
• Blockchain and Smart Contracts: The adoption of blockchain technology will streamline various aspects of maritime operations, such as remote trouble-shooting of various marine machinery. A vital role will be played by each marine engineer in integrating these technologies into the existing machinery systems, ensuring they enhance overall efficiency, without compromising security.

As global awareness of environmental issues continues to grow, marine engineers will be increasingly called upon to contribute to sustainability efforts within the maritime industry. The next decade will see a heightened focus on minimizing the environmental impact of shipping, with marine engineers at the forefront of these initiatives.

• Eco-friendly Ship Design: Designing ships with a smaller environmental footprint will be a top priority. This may involve the use of advanced composite materials, optimized hydrodynamic designs, and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.
  
• Marine Ecosystem Protection: The impact of shipping on marine ecosystems, including the introduction of invasive species through ballast water discharge and the disruption of marine life through underwater noise pollution, will come under greater study. Marine engineers will be tasked with developing and implementing technologies to mitigate these impacts, such as ballast water treatment systems and noise reduction technologies.
  
• Waste Management: Proper waste disposal plays a crucial role in minimizing pollution and complying with laws, onboard ships. Marine engineers must design and maintain efficient waste management systems that can handle treatment of sewage , oily water and other dangerous materials effectively in compliance with environmental regulations.

Effective management of safety operations onboard start with ensuring that humans who are responsible for these processes are ‘with the times’ and up to speed with the latest. It’s important to keep up with the developments, in engineering, digital technologies and environmental regulations to stay professionally competent and ensure efficient operations. Updating the syllabus may be necessary and also implementing STCW requirements could make a significant difference in enhancing the skills of personnel both, on board and ashore.

In the years to come technology will have an impact, on the evolution of marine engineering but its crucial to remember that human factors and safety will always be of top importance in this field.The welfare of crew members and operational safety will remain priorities, with the rise of automation and digital advancements.

• Enhancing Human Machine Interaction With the advancement of automation, the relationship between humans and machines is evolving. Marine engineers must create systems that are easy to use enabling crew members to operate them effectively. This requires taking into account the human element during the design phase and providing training, for the crew.
  
• Fostering a safety culture, in the sector will become crucial as the sophistication of marine engineering systems grows more intricate over time. Collaboration among ship personnel and external partners will be key in crafting and putting into practice safety measures tailored to navigating the complexities of operating technologies, aboard vessels.

In the next decade the marine engineering field will encounter a multitude of challenges and prospects that transcend national boundaries or regional confines. To navigate this landscape effectively global cooperation and development of international regulations and standards will be imperative to steer the entire shipping sector in a harmonized fashion.

Marine engineers must have an understanding of regulations and standards, like those established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). These guidelines are constantly evolving to address new and emerging challenges. It will be crucial for marine engineers to ensure that ships adhere to these regulations.

Collaborative Efforts, in Research and Innovation; Tackling the obstacles that the maritime industry faces needs international and streamlined collaboration. Marine engineers must engage in international research and development efforts, sharing their knowledge and expertise which will drive innovation and will solve global problems. The future of engineering will also rely on collaborations, between private sector companies and governments. They will need to collaborate to create and enforce new technologies and regulations, in the field of marine engineering solutions that meet both public policy objectives and industry demands.

In the decade ahead of us lies a time of great change for marine engineers. It will require each of us marine engineers to adapt to and utilize these changes for personal career advancement as well as for the growth of the industry. The forthcoming years will witness an evolution in our roles as engineers as we respond to technological advancements and environmental challenges while adjusting to changes in maritime practices. By embracing green technologies, autonomous systems, and digitalization while prioritizing sustainability, we marine engineers can not only adapt to these shifts, but alos propel the industry towards progress.

The prospects, for the field of marine engineering look promising as we work together to bring together knowledge, upskilling, innovation and take new initiatives effectively as professionals.We must be ready to meet the challenges along the way head on and ensure that the maritime sector continues to thrive and contribute sustainably to world economy. The upcoming years might challenge our adaptability but our commitment and dedication to quality service will for sure shape a better future for maritime.

This article is written by ETO Hamid Akbari, and was the First Prize Winner as part of the Engineers’ Day 2024 Essay Competition onboard our vessels