Lloyd’s Register (LR) has entered into a research collaboration with Marlink to examine how the maritime industry can better manage the increasing complexity of digital systems on board ships.
The partnership aims to assist the sector in moving beyond fragmented approaches to digitalisation by focusing on practical challenges related to connectivity, cybersecurity, and system integration.
Marlink has joined LR’s Digital Transformation Research Programme to explore the sharing of responsibilities between shipowners, system integrators, and classification societies in digital systems management, with the research expected to investigate how these roles evolve as operational models and regulatory expectations change.
“The initial findings from our Digital Maturity Index highlight that cyber security and connectivity are gaining ground, supporting maritime’s digital journey, yet their full potential is still untapped,” said Mark Warner, Client Marketing Director at Lloyd’s Register.
“Marlink, with its extensive experience in maritime communication and cybersecurity, is an ideal partner to support our research programme and build on the findings of the Digital Maturity Index. By working together, we can deliver valuable insights that help shipowners and operators navigate the complexities of digital transformation more effectively and securely.”
The initiative will draw on real-world experience from a client shipowner engaged in a newbuilding programme to ensure that the research reflects how digital requirements are specified and managed in practice, from the design and construction phases through to vessel operation and recycling.
The collaboration builds on insights from LR’s Digital Maturity Index, which has assessed the digitalisation progress of more than 50 shipping companies. While findings show that connectivity and cybersecurity are among the more mature areas of digital development, the index also highlights significant gaps between digital ambition and execution.
“As vessels become increasingly software-defined and connected, the maritime industry faces growing challenges across often highly fragmented digital ecosystems,” said Tore Morten Olsen, President, Maritime at Marlink.
“Through this collaboration with Lloyd’s Register, Marlink brings decades of practical insight from managing complex maritime IT, network, and cyber environments at scale. Together, we aim to help the industry move towards a more integrated, resilient, and operationally effective approach to maritime digitalisation.”
