Hyundai and Accenture partner on ‘smart ship’ design

The Korean ship builder and global consultant will work together to create a connected ship that leverages the “Internet of Things” to improve operational efficiency.    South Korean ship builder Hyundai Heavy Industries is collaborating with the global consulting firm Accenture to design a “connected smart ship” that will enable ship owners to better manage their fleets and achieve potential operational savings through the application of digital technologies, the companies said Friday.
   Using a network of sensors that will be built into new vessels, ship owners will be able to capture a range of ship voyage information including location, weather, and ocean current data, as well as on-board equipment and cargo status data.
   The “smart ship” will connect Hyundai Heavy Industries’ on-ship platform and the Accenture Connected Platforms as a Service (CPaaS).
   “By applying real-time analytics to new and historical fleet data and using data visualization technology to present the insights, ship owners will be able to monitor their vessel’s status and condition in real-time to make data-driven decisions that support more efficient operations,” the companies said in a joint statement.
   Services are expected to include real-time alerts and warnings, predictive maintenance and more efficient scheduling. The connected smart ship will be developed using a combination of Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipbuilding and manufacturing expertise, and Accenture’s digital and shipping industry experience.
   “Businesses can gain a competitive advantage by embracing the connectivity wave underpinning the Internet of Things and integrating digital services into their products to keep pace with the next wave of innovation,” said Eric Schaeffer, senior managing director at Accenture. “Our collaboration with Hyundai Heavy Industries utilizes our digital technology and deep industry experience to enable a traditional ‘products’ company to adapt its business model, taking advantage of digital technologies like analytics. Hyundai Heavy Industries’ willingness to create value for its customers through adopting elements of the Internet of Things is a great step on its digital transformation journey.”