By
Alice Chambers |
Inmarsat has joined forces with passenger shipping company Attica Group and digital consultancy Thetius to launch a competition for small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to put forward digital solutions for enhanced training and leisure hours of ferry employees.
Applicants for the ‘Inmarsat Ferry Open Innovation Challenge’ are invited to provide solutions for ship familiarisation, regulatory training, emergency response and customer services, all of which must support content delivered in Greek.
The deadline for online submissions is 28 February 2022 and first proposals must include proof of concept planning and the capacity for fleet-wide scalability by a shipowner. Shortlisted entries will be invited to pitch their ideas in front of seafarers and crew training specialists in mid-March and trails onboard Attica Group’s vessels such as its Superfast ferries will take place in May. A prize of £10,000 ($13,400) will then be awarded to the best tested solution.
“Working with Shell Shipping & Maritime, the 2020 Crew Welfare Open Innovation Challenge showed the extraordinary array of digital options owners have to enhance conditions for seafarers,” said Peter Broadhurst, senior vice president at Inmarsat Maritime. “It also brought an original fatigue management and rest coaching platform closer to market. We are delighted to work with Attica Group and with Thetius once more on what promises to be a groundbreaking exploration of the innovations available for crew training and entertainment in the ferry market.”
Since the ferry industry has a high crew turnaround , the competition reflects the struggle for crew members joining new ferries, which puts those onboard in potential danger. The winning digital solution will support crew members and improve emergency procedures.
“Attica Group is committed to exceeding expectations on best practices, motivation and wellbeing among its crews,” said George Anagnostou, chief operations officer at Attica Group. “Digital solutions will play an increasing role in meeting the requirements of the modern seafarers. We fully support the objectives of this innovative programme and very much look forward to hosting the winning technology on board later this year.”
“We are delighted to launch the Inmarsat Ferry Open Innovation Challenge to explore the impact digital solutions can make on crew lives on board a very different ship type,” said Nick Chubb, managing director of Thetius.