Opportunities to accelerate innovation in maritime industry through data sharing
"There’s no doubt that sharing data offers advantages for the maritime industry." Herman Pals of TNO sees opportunities to accelerate innovation by sharing information. However, TNO research into data sharing in data spaces - a collective digital governance framework - shows apprehension and mistrust exist. "First, we need to get that out of the way; people need to understand they won't lose control of their commercially sensitive information."
Herman Pals, MSc, refutes the usual initial concern about data sharing. "Potentially losing data, or not being able to determine who you do and don’t share it with, is a misconception. You can technically and legally safeguard data." At TNO, he is commercially responsible for the AI and data sharing portfolio. TNO has researched the critical success factors of implementing data spaces. “The connotation that data sharing is free is equally persistent. You can put a price on data, and that also applies to the maritime industry. A fee, for example, or a licensing agreement.” Innovation through cross-pollination is far more interesting and worth the effort.
What is a data space?
A data space is a virtual environment in which organisations and individuals can share and exchange data securely, transparently, and in a controlled manner. Data exchange is based on clear agreements. This approach makes cooperation possible without parties having to physically transfer their data.
The governance framework within the data space defines the ways in which participants may use, share, and protect data. This ensures that each participant retains control over their own data (data sovereignty). This results in an ecosystem that efficiently and securely uses data to foster innovation and value creation within a supply chain or sector.
Trusted access
“Together with partners we can take care of the technology,” Herman Pals reassures us. “What matters most is getting the foundations in place, ensuring the business model is right. If company A decides to share valuable operational data, what’s in it for them? One party should not bear the cost while the other reaps the benefits. A good governance structure and business model are essential for a viable and scalable data sharing solution. Sharing data essentially comes down to providing trusted access to data, while you remain in control.”
Set of agreements as a foundation
The use of data spaces – seen as 'the key to further digitisation' – allows chains to work more efficiently, helps participants save a lot of money, and offers opportunities for new services. At the same time, quality, transparency, and privacy are essential when it comes to data sharing. Herman Pals: “The starting point for removing obstacles is enabling organisations to retain rights and management over their own data. It is possible to check exactly who has edited and delivered which data and when, with which algorithms, and for what purpose. At least as important: you can limit who has access to your input data. You can simply switch access on and off at any time. This is very convenient when you change suppliers for example, proving they are also connected.”
Potentially losing data is a misconception. You can technically and legally safeguard data.
Herman Pals - Principal Business Consultant
Data space in practice: Smart Connected
As a key example of a successful sector-wide 'data space', Herman Pals mentions Smart Connected Supplier Network (SCSN), a Dutch initiative for the high-tech sector around Eindhoven, founded some five years ago with ASML's numerous suppliers. This digital platform now includes some five hundred participants. Their digital systems exchange data directly. “ASML needs steel, but Tata Steel does not want to use a different interface for every sector. The steel has to be transported, so there is also a relationship with logistics, as well as with construction further on.” Ideally, these sectors would also participate. However, 'Smart Connected' is not that cross-sectoral yet. Everyone taking part is currently starting from their own sector.
In the next phase, SCSN wants to include more operational data through, for example, implementation of a Digital Product Passport. The Joint Maritime Data Platform of the Maritime Master Plan (see box below) is also focused on this operational data. For many sectors, this is still being developed and is largely in its infancy.
Creating a win-win situation
"You need to be confident that this is a win-win situation. After all, the other parties are also providing access to valuable operational data. And this doesn't always have to be fiercely competitive”, Herman Pals emphasises. "You can start with sector-wide issues; common goals, such as reducing CO2."
Staying in the lead
It doesn’t take a great deal of imagination to see that the cross-pollination of data in the maritime industry promotes innovation within the cluster. “Parties possess a great deal of valuable data. You have to make it accessible, though. That’s the ‘common ground’ dilemma: once something becomes available, everyone benefits. But someone needs to make the first move.”
Dangers of staying in your own silo
“The joint benefits are in the design phase, as well as in administrative handling (e.g., transactional data) and the operational phase with remote monitoring and so on, including the circularity of raw materials.” The main pitfall, according to the TNO specialist, is the fear that people will approach the issues from within their own silos. “One party might want to set up a separate interface with another party, for example. Things become messy then, and completely suboptimal.”
The big pitfall is approaching the issue from within your own silo.
Herman Pals - Principal Business Consultant
Technology and language
“All parties will want to use the same interface within which they can manage their own data in a sovereign way. The data space, meaning the set of agreements and the technology surrounding this, not only determine who has access to what, but also the underlying business model: cost sharing. A good data space also prevents all participants from being forced into a certain format, such as SAP. The technical layer and semantic layer, the language, are crucial to the data space.
“The semantic layer deals with unambiguous definitions and interpretations, the terminology. In the technical layer, you make sure the specs of the 'nuts and bolts' are unambiguous, too. That's the crux: uniformity.”
How to
The obvious approach would be to start off with a selection of large parties. Nevertheless, for Herman Pals, it is easy to predict the benefits data sharing offers when all kinds of suppliers and subcontractors start joining in. After all, in many cases, they work for all the founding members. “See Smart Connected around Eindhoven.”
European support
”Start slowly with a solid data space, advises the TNO man. There are numerous resources, tools, and market players that can assist with this. “The European Commission has been working to shape data sharing in a sovereign way for four years. Brussels has invested heavily in the Data Spaces Support Centre which also offers tools.”
“In The Netherlands The Masterplan Datasharing Overheid has a database for data initiatives and there’s also the Topsector ICT. Innopay and NovaTrust are two strong parties that can help set up a trust framework and guide you in setting up governance.” Last but not least, we also have TNO itself.” Contact for TNO is Herman Pals
Examples of data sharing in the maritime industry
Within the maritime industry, several initiatives are aimed at improving collaboration, innovation, and efficiency through data sharing:
Joint Maritime Data Platform (JMDP)
The platform, part of the Maritime Master Plan, facilitates secure data sharing and intellectual property preservation, and encourages standardisation and innovation through data analytics, saving costs and accelerating development.
One Maritime Data Standard (OMDS)
OMDS simplifies the data landscape through uniform standards, reducing cost of failure increasing efficiency in the supply chain. It promotes collaboration through a common data language for better communication in the maritime supply chain.
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