Lloyd’s Register (LR) has announced the release of its Digital Maturity Framework and Index to assess and benchmark an organisation’s digital maturity.
LR commissioned Thetius to create ‘The Benchmark’ study, which details a digital maturity model.
The model serves as a starting point for understanding an organisation’s position on the maritime digital transformation spectrum, ranging from basic phases with little or no digital infrastructure to mature advanced data-driven decision making.
LR’s Digital Maturity Index (DMI) is a free web-based tool based on real marine use cases that helps shipping businesses analyse their digital preparedness, compare themselves to industry competitors, and find areas for investment in technology and capabilities.
During the pilot phase, five major tanker and bulker firms participated and assessed digital maturity across all facets of their operations, from digital infrastructure to cultural integration.
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Mark Warner, LR’s Global Content and Communications Director, said: “The LR Digital Maturity Index has been developed in collaboration with our pilot clients and gone through a rigorous and robust discovery process. It is unique in the maritime industry and incorporates close to 50 digital use cases. Our aim is to continue the pilot phase with more clients, primarily from the tanker and bulker segments, and then widen into other segments.
“The preliminary results highlight that although companies are showing higher levels of maturity around the core enablers of connectivity, cloud computing and cyber security, there is far less maturity around the implementation of digital culture, skills, training and data standardisation. This reinforces the need for clear digital strategy adoption and a uniform approach to data standards.”
According to LR, findings of the Thetius report highlight the importance of a comprehensive digital strategy orchestrated at the board or C-Suite level, resource allocation in both technology and staff skills, a willingness to take risks and experiment with new technologies, and leveraging external expertise.
In line with the Digital Maturity Index, LR will develop a new digital transformation advising service to help its clients overcome the obstacles of marine digitalisation.
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James Frew, Business Consultancy, Director Lloyd’s Register, stated: “The Digital Maturity Index provides a useful framework for shipowners to assess their digital maturity, also allowing them to explore advisory support/services tailored to their needs.
“We are already supporting some of the largest vessel charterers around the digitalisation of their maritime businesses and now we are able to offer trusted advice to owners as to how they can reap the real benefits of digitalisation.”
