Sailors SocietyVan AalstPort of StocktonIMPA EventsPort of South LouisianaBühler GmbH
  • IMPA Events
  • Sailors Society
  • Van Aalst
  • Port of Stockton
  • Vigan
  • Telestack

Get onboard with digitalization

(Posted on 15/10/19)

“Digitalization brings great benefits and has the potential to create greater equality in the world”, said Nabil Ben Soussia, IEC Telecom’s Vice-President Maritime. “The reality is that the train is leaving the station and individuals and organisations need to get on board quickly,” he advised.

“For the maritime sector, the march of digitalization offers the opportunity for greater efficiency, substantial cost savings, optimization of vessel processes, and vastly improved communications between ship and shore, as well as for crew members,” he enthused, highlighting the benefits of connectivity across the globe.

Measures like being able to access the vessel management system remotely enable improved vessel and performance monitoring as well as more efficient maintenance regimes – saving time, money, and helping to meet environmental and other targets.

There are challenges to be overcome when digitalizing vessel operations, he agreed, speaking at Digital Ship’s CIO forum in Singapore. A stable and reliable connection is essential, as are robust back-up systems. IEC Telecom is one of the leading providers of connectivity solutions to the maritime sector and Mr Ben Soussia is able to draw on the company’s many years of expertise when advising the shipping industry.

Highlighting the risks to vessels from cyber threats, he stressed the need for comprehensive and effective cyber security to be built into any digitalized systems, both onboard and ashore. “The more autonomous vessels are, the higher the risk is of a cyber-attack and the greater the impact of that attack could be,” he said, pointing out that the majority of cyber threats can be eliminated with the proper security processes in place.

One of the downsides to this rapid pace of development is that maritime regulation needs to move faster in order to remain relevant and not inhibit technological advancement. The rapid rise of new technologies requires a new set of global rules to manage operations and potential risks, Mr Ben Soussia warned. Shipping is a highly regulated international market but the process of introducing new regulations or amending existing ones takes many years and this speed needs to increase in order to keep up with the pace of change.

But the commitment is worth it. Smart ships, smart crew, smart operating procedures – these are the future, thanks to digitalization.

A high-performance leader with extensive experience in the MENA region, Nabil Ben Soussia joined IEC Telecom Group as Director of Technologies and Operations in 2008. In the capacity of Business Unit Director, Nabil played a key role in the opening of the Abu Dhabi office in 2011. In 2014, Nabil initiated the opening of a new office in Kazakhstan, and in the same year, he became Managing Director of the Middle East division.

In 2018, Nabil moved into the role of Group Vice President and is responsible for the strategic vision and management of the maritime segment.

Latest News

Shi.E.L.D. Services selects Spinergie for digitized bulk solutions

(Posted on 26/11/23)

Shi.E.L.D. Services has selected Spinergie as its preferred digitized solution provider to monitor and... Read more


Wellbeing and welfare boost for Indian maritime cadets

(Posted on 26/11/23)

Thousands of cadets and trainees in India will benefit from in-depth wellness training and support thanks... Read more


Sustainable dry bulk shipping solutions in focus at INTERCARGO forum

(Posted on 17/11/23)

As shipping continues its journey to decarbonisation, INTERCARGO will host a special forum in Athens... Read more


INTERCARGO statement on KMAX Ruler attack

(Posted on 13/11/23)

INTERCARGO was deeply saddened and concerned to hear of the reported appalling missile attack on the... Read more


New resources for crews and their support system

(Posted on 13/11/23)

A new-look Wellness at Sea Awareness Campaign for seafarers, their families and shore staff that &ldquo... Read more


DNV and AL Group to cooperate on CCS feasibility study

(Posted on 05/11/23)

Classification society DNV has entered into a Joint Development Project (JDP) with AL Group and its... Read more


DNV and Samsung collaborate on ROC for autonomous ships project

(Posted on 31/10/23)

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and leading classification society DNV have inked a Memorandum of Understanding... Read more


WISTA AGM ratifies new definition of diversity and equity

(Posted on 31/10/23)

WISTA International, during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Montevideo, Uruguay, on 25 October... Read more


INTERCARGO celebrates record membership at Athens meeting

(Posted on 31/10/23)

Members of INTERCARGO met in Athens last week for the Association’s Annual General Meeting, Executive... Read more


Columbia Group expands manning agency network with CSM Vietnam

(Posted on 26/10/23)

The Columbia Group (Columbia) has opened a new manning agency, Columbia Shipmanagement Vietnam (CSM... Read more


ViganTBA GroupCimbriaGeneva DryTMS Awards 2023Telestack
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • Geneva Dry
  • Bühler GmbH

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping