Preliminary communication
Ship Maintenance in the Digital Age Focus on Predictive Systems
Juraj Bukša
; Adriatic Croatia International Club, ACI Cub d.d., Rijeka, Croatia
*
Josip Šanko
orcid.org/0009-0001-5403-7533
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Rijeka, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Modern ships are complex technical units composed of various systems and subsystems, including the
ship management system, safety and protective systems for the ship and crew, propulsion system, hull
structure, power supply and distribution system, cargo handling system, and accommodation systems
for crew and passengers. All these systems are interconnected and collectively contribute to the ship’s
purpose, primarily achieved through comprehensive maintenance. Increasingly rigorous international
regulations regarding ship and crew safety, as well as environmental protection, encourage shipowners
to emphasize regular, proactive, and predictive maintenance of ship systems to ensure uninterrupted
operations without delays. Advancements in modern technology have transformed approaches to
ship maintenance by leveraging developments in the ICT sector, including analytical methods and AI
models like machine learning and deep learning, which have revolutionized maintenance practices.
This paper, in addition to exploring conventional maintenance methods, investigates key components
of predictive maintenance, discusses challenges such as transparency and ethical implications, and
analyzes the latest trends in AI-based predictive maintenance—from sensors and data collection to
data processing algorithms and decision-making modules.
Keywords
maintenance, reliability, ship systems, predictive maintenance
Hrčak ID:
330008
URI
Publication date:
9.4.2025.
Visits: 789 *