IMPACT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES

Impact of information and communication technologies on managerial and operational activities in the case of Merchant Ships

Impact of information and communication technologies on managerial and operational activities in the case of Merchant Ships

Introduction

Merchant ships are a high priority form of vessel because of the fact that they are brought into use only in those cases where the shipment of a large consignment cannot be made possible without the use of a merchant ship. As a result, it becomes a matter of reason that the presence of a merchant ship in sea almost always has a number of stake holders in the balance. As a result, it becomes necessary to ensure that a merchant ship's safe displacement from one point to another is a critical matter; and an issue that merits attention. It is because of this reason that developments in communication and information technology in the last few decades have been brought into use in the management of merchant ship operations (Batlle and Blanke 2003). The usage of communication and information technology allows merchant ship operators to reduce the risk that is associated with the operation and management of merchant ships. It is imperative to highlight at this point that the immense variety of variables to which merchant ships are exposed in the sea. This makes it next to impossible for merchant ships to function without being exposed to high risk.

The reason because of which it is essential to study the impact of communication and information technology in the area of merchant ship operation and management is that the number of incidents associated with merchant ships is still not experiencing a decreasing trend. Incidents of merchant ships sinking, running aground or hitting reefs cause extensive collateral damage and the incidence of such an event leads to the increase in the relevance of the effective and efficient usage of communication and information technology in the management and operation of merchant ships (Batio 2001). It is because of this reason that the following discussion will attempt to present a holistic yet focused picture of the manner in which developments in communication and information technology influence the management and operation of merchant ships. In order to do so adequately, the paper will make use of specific examples and theoretical assertions (Whitman, Johnson and Tomczyk 2004). The discussion will attempt to elaborate on how developments in information and communication technologies have impacted on managerial and operational activities. The discussion will also consider what has happened within the sector to date, and the opportunities which might exist for future development.

Discussion

Throughout history the oceans have been important to people around the world as a means of transportation (Culp 2006). Unlike a few decades ago, however, ships are now carrying goods rather than people. Since the rise of intercontinental air travel, sea travel has become limited to shorter trips (ferry services across the Baltic and North Seas, the Mediterranean, Japan and Southeast Asia) and recreational ...