Hello there! Welcome back to another week of tech insights and digital news. For this article, we’re exploring the everyday challenges IT departments in maritime face. From troubleshooting everyday issues to implementing complex mergers and digital transformation plans - their work is never done.

This week, I caught up with David Edwards, Head of Information Technology at Navigator Gas. Having transitioned from the Oil & Gas industry to maritime 3 years ago, David was thrown straight in at the deep end with the complex task of overseeing the combination of digital infrastructure after the merger of shipping companies.

Maritime companies run on technology… Obviously. Every department, every process, every decision touches IT systems somehow. When you're merging two organisations, you're essentially trying to untangle and rebuild the digital nervous system of both organisations while they're still operating. Get it wrong and operations grind to a halt. 

Ever wondered if your maritime IT budget is sailing in the right direction? We've heard every CTO ask the same questions: ‘Are we overpaying for vessel connectivity? Is our cybersecurity spend enough? Should that software really cost that much?’

The Thetius IT Cost Benchmarking Club gives you the answers you've been looking for. We analyse your fleet's IT costs and anonymously benchmark them against your industry peers. No more guesswork, no more awkward vendor negotiations - just clear, objective data showing exactly where you stand in the market. Plus, we measure the actual performance of your IT systems against industry standards, so you'll know if you're getting value for money.

Check it out here

For many companies, one of their biggest challenges in a project like this is resources. David explained, "In small companies, it can be difficult to justify more in-house expertise, so sometimes you have to outsource it to the relevant companies". The key is to be strategic in outsourcing talent when you don't have specialists in every area. 

David described the reality of combining two individual entities into one consolidated organisation. "The merger of two separate companies usually involves inheriting two different IT portfolios. The process of standardising, modernising and integrating them both can take years, even in a fast-paced environment." 

David then went on to share his insights into cybersecurity, or lack thereof, in maritime. Many IT leads have struggled to get buy-in for cybersecurity investment due to a perceived sense of security. "Sometimes it takes a major cybersecurity event for people to understand why it's important to invest in preventative measures.”

The unshakable truth is that too many vendors in the supply chain neglect cyber security, leaving gaps that could expose maritime operations to significant risk. David's approach to mitigating this vulnerability is to partner with maritime cyber security specialists specifically, who understand the nature of cyber risks in shipping: "They speak the language. They actually know about ships. They're looking at the protocols and the environment and what really matters to shipping companies."

The regulatory landscape doesn't help either. "The recent new regulations, E26 and E27 regulations have started to have an impact on cybersecurity, but of course, they just apply to new builds." With most vessels having an average life span of 25 years, that's going to take decades to make a meaningful difference. 

Slowly but surely, organisations in maritime are starting to invest in R&D teams and Digital Transformation hires to launch their vessels into the 21st century. While this is fantastic for ship-to-shore connectivity, enhanced data gathering and vessel efficiency, CIOs should spare a thought for their IT departments, who have to manage these advancements. "It's difficult to keep on top of all the changes and improvements in technology while keeping the lights on as well." 

Balancing innovation with operational resources requires more than basic oversight; CIOs need to understand the second and third-order effects that come with technological transformation.

And here we find ourselves again… At the end of another MaritimeCIO newsletter. I know it’s sad, but don’t worry, I’ll be back next week with more industry insights you can’t find anywhere else. Until then… Happy sailing! Ailsa