Episode 83: Enhancing Maritime Safety Through Digital Innovation with Esa Henttinen of NAPA

Episode 83: Enhancing Maritime Safety Through Digital Innovation with Esa Henttinen of NAPA

Guest: Esa Henttinen, Executive Vice President of Safety Solutions, NAPA

Episode Overview: In this episode of The Last Dinosaur: Maritime Shipping in the Digital Age, I have a captivating discussion with Esa Henttinen, Executive Vice President of Safety Solutions at NAPA . NAPA is renowned for its cutting-edge software solutions that span the entire lifecycle of a ship, from design to operations, with a focus on enhancing safety, sustainability, and future-proofing the maritime industry. Our conversation zeroes in on the cruise ship industry, a sector we've only touched on briefly in past episodes, making this a particularly exciting exploration.

Esa provides deep insights into how NAPA is harnessing data science to revolutionize safety management and operational efficiency in the cruise ship sector. We delve into the importance of involving seafarers in the development of new tools, the transformative power of connectivity in ship operations, and the role of digitalization in advancing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards within the maritime industry.

Key Points:

1. NAPA’s Focus on Seafarers: Esa emphasizes the importance of involving seafarers in the development of digital tools, as top-down solutions often fail without their input and feedback.
2. Connectivity as a Game Changer: The discussion highlights how enhanced connectivity between ship and shore is fostering a new level of collaboration, leading to shared responsibility and improved support for seafarers.
3. Real-Time Visibility in Cruise Operations: NAPA’s digital solutions provide real-time visibility for complex cruise ship operations, aiding in critical areas like stability management and regulatory compliance.
4. The Untapped Potential of Ship Data: Although 90% of ship data remains onboard, there is immense potential in harnessing this data to drive operational improvements, especially through centralized electronic logbook systems.
5. Digitalization in Maritime Operations: Digitalization is enabling comprehensive data measurement in areas like food waste on cruise ships, pushing for improved processes and ESG compliance.
6. Challenges in Permit to Work Processes: The episode explores the need for digitalization in managing permit-to-work processes, which are currently prone to delays and errors, particularly in hazardous work environments.
7. Post-COVID Safety Concerns: Esa shares insights on how the post-pandemic has seen the arrival, on cruise ships, of a fresh generation of seafarers, whose need for better training and guidance will only increase with the introduction of new fuels.
8. Agile Approach to Safety Management: NAPA’s work with clients emphasizes an agile approach to safety management, ensuring that digital tools are effectively integrated into daily operations to enhance seafarer safety and well-being.

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