The maritime sector is lagging in the adoption of the digital technologies required to catch up with land-based industries by 2030, according to a new report published by Lloyd’s Register (LR), though recent advancements have the potential to accelerate progress if effectively integrated within a coherent digital strategy.
The inaugural Global Maritime Trends 2025 Barometer publication provides a data-driven assessment of the maritime industry’s digital transition progress across five key components: maritime trade, energy, vessels, ports, and people.
Current trends indicate a delayed transition across the five key components within maritime digitalisation, with scores of between 32-48% for alignment with 2030 goals in each segment.
The Digital Transition Barometer includes data derived from LR’s Digital Maturity Index and identifies data standardisation, interoperability, widespread lack of digital skills among seafarers and shore-based teams as major barriers to progress.
However, the report notes that shipping companies have made progress in the core areas of connectivity, cloud computing, and cyber security. At the global fleet level, the data shows progress has favoured newer vessels due to complexities of retrofit programmes and a lack of investment in older assets.
Nevertheless, the publication makes clear that voluntary action alone is not enough to meet maritime’s digitalisation goals – policymakers must assist in creating the conditions for large-scale transformation across the five key components of the transition.
“This is a critical moment for the maritime sector. The industry has demonstrated its commitment to change, but the reality is that without regulatory clarity and global alignment, investment and innovation will remain hesitant,” said James Frew, LR Advisory Director.
“The Global Maritime Trends Barometer serves as a call to action—policymakers must step up to ensure regulation provides the certainty the industry needs to accelerate its transition.”
The Global Maritime Trends 2025 Barometer report can be downloaded here.
