Earlier I mentioned the subject of "Digital Forest"1. I said that in the digital forest, every plant or animal can be connected with the entire forest management network through tags and sensors. I presented an image of a forest whose elements are connected through artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technologies. "Using artificial intelligence, we can quickly process and analyze the large amount of data sent from the forest and share the results with other collections or universities."
The first part - the digital sea and artificial intelligence
Part II - Artificial intelligence in the depths
The third part - artificial intelligence and the problem of microplastics
But the Hyrcanian forest is not the only attractive natural phenomenon in the north of Iran; In front of the mountain ranges that are located in several coastal provinces of the country, the world's largest lake, Caspian, rests. The distance between the forest and the sea in this area sometimes reaches only a few kilometers. The existence of these two important and great phenomena together has provided a unique collection that can rarely be seen in the world. A large ecosystem that includes many systems. Anzali Lagoon, Miankala Lagoon, big rivers like Sepidroud that connect the forest to the sea are the only peaks of these systems. As I mentioned in previous issues, every tree in the forest and every fish in the sea can be a system; And that the Internet of Things is one of the important platforms in which the systems in the physical world are integrated with digital systems and inject important elements of intelligence to objects that are not inherently intelligent.
Now let's expand the scope a bit. The sea, in its true sense, is located in the south of Iran. Oman Sea and Persian Gulf are not lakes and are connected to open seas and oceans. For this reason, that is, their relationship with open waters, they have characteristics that should be included in our discussion.
Talking about the sea has its own difficulties due to the complexity of the sea compared to the forest. The sea has two important aspects: surface and outside the sea, inside the sea.
surface and outside the sea
Throughout history, the maritime domain has been the main axis of world trade. Today, more than 90% of world trade is carried out by sea. Sea shipping is cheap and very efficient. Large cargoes can be transported over long distances only through seas and oceans. For this reason, throughout history, ports in all parts of the world have been of special importance and have usually been more prosperous than other cities. Today, an important part of world trade, including oil and other goods, is carried out through the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf.
The maritime industry is a multifaceted industry and includes shipping lines, port operations, maritime defense, offshore exploration, fishing, environmental monitoring and marine tourism, each with unique characteristics and challenges. In recent years, the industry has seen significant changes driven by technological advances and evolving regulations, environmental concerns, and the urgent need to increase operational efficiency.
Ports, which were once considered merely points of connection and transfer, have evolved into complex logistics centers that provide a wide range of services. In addition, emerging sectors such as offshore wind energy and marine biotechnology and the use of the sea surface for solar power generation are paving the way for a more sustainable and diversified marine industry.
Internet of things at sea level
The ability of the Internet of Things (IoT) to connect devices, systems and services to collect, store and analyze data can significantly transform the operations and business models of the maritime industry, ushering in a new era of "smart shipping" and "smart ports". .
A wave of digital transformation has swept across multiple industries over the past few decades, changing operational dynamics and opening avenues for innovation and efficiency. Industries ranging from finance and healthcare to agriculture have embraced the power of digital technology and are harnessing the power of emerging technologies to redefine their visions. However, the maritime industry, with its long traditions and extensive operational complexities, has been somewhat hamstrung in this adaptation. It is only in recent years that we have seen significant digital change in maritime operations. This relatively slow pace of adoption emphasizes the urgency and relevance of understanding the role of technologies such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence in the maritime domain.
Digital technology and marine environment
The maritime industry is grappling with issues such as environmental pollution, maritime security, overcapacity of ports and ships and congestion elsewhere, infrastructure limitations and supply chain inefficiencies. These challenges emphasize the need for technological solutions that can optimize operations, increase efficiency and safety, and reduce harmful environmental impacts. Environmental pollution is the result of decades of actions and processes. Greenhouse gas emissions, oil spills, upstream water discharges and waste disposal affect marine ecosystems and threaten marine life and subsequently human health. The carbon footprint of ships alone accounts for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the need for sustainable and urgent interventions.
For environmental concerns, sensors equipped with the Internet of Things can monitor the release of pollutants online and immediately, ensuring compliance with international standards and identifying areas for restoration and remediation. Intelligent systems can predict and prevent potential oil spills, while simultaneously monitoring the discharge of upstream waters.
Maritime technology and security
Another big challenge is maritime security. In an age where piracy has evolved from rogue seamen to sophisticated organized crime syndicates, ensuring the safety of cargo and crew has never been more important. Maritime threats, smuggling, and illegal fishing are other parts of this complex challenge.
In terms of security, IoT and artificial intelligence have the potential to revolutionize maritime safety protocols. Advanced tracking systems can keep ships safe from piracy by detecting and warning ships of potential threats. In addition, integrated communication tools send timely notifications in case of emergency, while surveillance systems using interconnected cameras and sensors can monitor every nook and cranny of the ship and prevent illegal activities.
Technology and economy
IoT-enabled smart shipping involves embedding sensors and devices throughout the ship to monitor various parameters such as location, speed, fuel consumption, engine performance, and weather conditions. This data can be used to optimize routes, improve fuel efficiency, and prevent equipment breakdowns, significantly increasing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
IoT devices and artificial intelligence monitor the movement of cargo and use the automation of operations; are in charge of procurement management; track vehicles and equipment and automate processes; They reduce waiting time, improve product circulation and minimize human errors.
Using IoT and artificial intelligence, marine operations can achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency, safety and environmental sustainability. IoT technologies are transforming traditional marine operations into a connected and online ecosystem. Ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications, real-time vessel and cargo tracking, critical equipment condition monitoring, and predictive maintenance are just a few examples of IoT maritime applications. These technologies provide operators with a wealth of real-time information, enabling them to make data-driven decisions and proactive actions.
Maritime technology and education
On the other hand, the use of digital technologies for teaching work with simulators based on Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) are becoming increasingly common to help train seafarers.
In today's maritime industry, the use of RFID - or radio frequency identification - is driving change in the marine industry, as well as AIDC technology - or automatic identification and data recording. RFID sensors are now commonplace in the industry, especially in ports, allowing ship owners to reduce costs and increase security by collecting data, generating reports, eliminating paperwork and tracking the movements of cargo truck drivers. In total, these factors make marine operations with lower cost, more efficiency, less environmental pollution and decision-making based on information provided by Internet of Things devices. Artificial intelligence helps marine industry managers make decisions with greater visibility and more information where there are multiple variables.
Maritime technology and education
On the other hand, the use of digital technologies for teaching work with simulators based on Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) are becoming increasingly common to help train seafarers.
In today's maritime industry, the use of RFID - or radio frequency identification - is driving change in the marine industry, as well as AIDC technology - or automatic identification and data recording. RFID sensors are now commonplace in the industry, especially in ports, allowing ship owners to reduce costs and increase security by collecting data, generating reports, eliminating paperwork and tracking the movements of cargo truck drivers. In total, these factors make marine operations with lower cost, more efficiency, less environmental pollution and decision-making based on information provided by Internet of Things devices. Artificial intelligence helps marine industry managers make decisions with greater visibility and more information where there are multiple variables.
In the future, I will discuss the role of artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technologies in the undersea sector
