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hands-on tasks, as AI, remote systems, and smart vessel technologies become more deeply integrated into the sector.Are charterers and cargo owners advocating data transparency and digital performance reporting strongly enough?There is a clear and growing push from charterers and cargo owners for greater data integrity and structured digital performance reporting. This trend is increasingly linked to the need for cost control and regulatory exposure, both of which rely on accurate, transparent, and well-documented operational data.Fuel consumption is a key component of operating expenditure (OpEx) and therefore represents a shared focal point for charterers and owners. While it is not the only cost element, it remains one of the most significant and measurable drivers of operational efficiency, and charterers are increasingly advocating its clear visibility. In this context, data transparency, figure accuracy, and tamper-proof reporting are no longer optional but integral to commercial alignment and regulatory accountability in modern shipping, and are strongly supported by both cargo owners and charterers.Has cyber risk become a serious threat to fleet safety and business continuity as ships become increasingly connected and software-driven? To what extent is the industry truly prepared to protect itself against these threats?As vessels become more connected and software dependent, cyber risks have become a real operational concern, affecting safety and business continuity and requiring specific actions.The industry has indeed taken steps to mitigate dangers. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) requires cyber risk management to be addressed within the Safety Management System. In parallel, classification societies have introduced cybersecurity notations to standardise the protection of onboard IT and OT systems. These initiatives demonstrate that cybersecurity is now receiving increased attention across the shipping industry and that the transition is clearly in focus.At the same time, as the shipping industry enters a new phase of digital connectivity, it is natural that cybersecurity requirements attract increased attention and active discussion among owners, shipyards and vendors. All industry players are exploring and evaluating how to implement these new IMO/Classification Societies/IEEE standards effectively and in a financially sustainable way, while remaining operationally aligned with real onboard environments. This attitude should not be viewed as a barrier but as constructive, valuable feedback that supports further improvement and fine-tuning.Overall, there are clear indications of progress, with structured measures being introduced. Ongoing brainstorming on their practical application among all interested parties will be key to fully supporting the industry through this transition.Looking ten years ahead, which element of smart shipping do you believe will be the most transformative and why?Over the next decade, the most transformative %u2014 and at the same time most challenging %u2014 element of smart shipping will likely be the effective and smooth integration of AI applications into both vessel and shore operations.AI technology is advancing rapidly. Technical limitations related to data integrity or algorithm maturity are expected to improve over time, while hardware constraints such as processing power, energy demand, and storage capacity are being progressively addressed across industries. Yet the decisive factor will not be the pace of technological development, but how AI is practically applied by crew and shore-based personnel without introducing operational disruption.The real transformation, therefore, lies not in the technology itself but in the way seafarers and shore teams incorporate AI into daily decision-making. AI should function as a support tool, capable of surfacing relevant information, visualising complex data, and proposing potential solutions. It should not become the final decision-maker. Human judgement must remain central, with professional expertise strengthened rather than replaced. Otherwise, vessel performance and safety could be compromised, with unpredictable consequences.Ultimately, what will define the next decade is not AI capability alone, but the industry%u2019s ability to integrate technology and human judgment in a balanced way, ensuring that innovation enhances efficiency and safety while utilising human experience and sense of responsibility.Smart shippingEssentially, data analytics and predictive models hold significant potential to support overall vessel operational performance, including daily fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions reduction. Yet their full value depends on continuous improvement in data integrity and the availability of all critical parameters required for reliable analysis.174 NX