Page 27 - SG Nautilus Issue 47.indb

ISSUE 47 PAGE 25

PORT & STARBOARD

THE INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES USED IN THE

REMOTE SURVEY HAVE ENABLED PSA MARINE TO
COMPLETE OUR SURVEYS ON SCHEDULE DESPITE

COVID-19, WHILE ENSURING OUR HARBOUR
TUGS CONTINUE SERVING OUR CUSTOMERS

WITHOUT DELAY OR DISRUPTIONS.

EMBRACING CHANGE now integral to the maritime world’s new normal.
With physical distancing measures and travel “Since COVID-19 hit Singapore, we have been
restrictions arising from COVID-19, being able to constantly exploring, improving, and adapting to
confi dently rely on robust remote surveys has changing operating models and new technologies
become increasingly important. Unlike traditional on remote survey techniques on board Singapore-
marine surveys, remote surveys require vessel crew registered ships (SRS),” he shares.
to get hands-on with digital technologies. He adds that MPA’s commitment to digitalisation
Mr Bernard Wong, Head (Fleet Management) has helped the organisation combine long-standing
at PSA Marine, recalls how the organisation’s crew technical expertise with cutting-edge tools and
quickly warmed up to the idea. “Despite the initial technologies. “Our Flag State surveyors are accessing
apprehensions, our crew challenged their mindsets a variety of data sources, using live-streaming
and eventually embraced the opportunity to carry with two-way communications and surveyors
out the inaugural remote survey as they became making engineering and technical decisions and
increasingly certain of the advantages and benefi ts recommendations without physically attending to
of doing so. Our crew took full ownership of the the ship,” he illustrates. “Working closely with our
survey and played a critical role in the successful stakeholders, such as Recognised Organisations and
completion of this remote survey,” he reveals, SRS operators, we have carried out many successful
adding that the department managers also played a trials of remote fl ag state inspections, although
key role in operationalising the remote survey as they we faced many challenges initially.” MPA will continue
encouraged and worked alongside the crew. to explore such remote survey capabilities, as this
Mr Chew commends his team at PSA Marine for trend is likely to continue post-COVID and become a
embracing these changes and technologies with agility new normal in the shipping industry.
and resilience. “They are fully supportive of PSA With the ability to adapt and change being a key

Marine’s continuing efforts to build a smarter, safer, success factor in the future of the maritime industry,

and more effi cient fleet of the PSA Marine and Bureau Veritas are equally optimistic
future,” he affi rms. that process automation and digital technology such
Mr Wong elaborates, “With the as remote surveys will increasingly be accepted and
remote survey successfully adopted as the new normal in a post-COVID world.
conducted, we continue to Describing the remote survey as one of the ways
reimagine how some of our PSA Marine reinvents traditions, Mr Wong notes,
work processes can be carried “Remote marine surveys can overcome physical and
out remotely as we adapt and geographical barriers as well as encourage a digitally
overcome the challenges imposed ready mindset. We have observed the industry moving
by the pandemic.” quickly to leverage remote surveys, and we are proud
to be a part of this movement.” He encourages other
CHARTING A NEW NORMAL harbour tug owners to try out remote marine surveys
Mr Cheah Aun Aun, Deputy whenever their situation permits. “We have shared
Director of Shipping and Marine, our remote survey experiences with PSA Marine’s
MPA, refl ects on how such overseas business units, and we plan to implement

innovative digital capabilities are this gradually across the fleet in the near future.”