Exclusive Interview with Mr. Grant Hunter, BIMCO’s Chief Digital Officer and Director for Products

By Longyu Xue, China Ship Survey Magazine

The global shipping industry is at a critical juncture where green transition and digital transformation are increasingly converging. Digital tools have become deeply embedded in voyage optimisation, energy efficiency management, maintenance and compliance – driving cost savings and supporting decarbonisation. Yet challenges such as system fragmentation, poor interoperability and growing cyber risks remain. The central question facing the industry is how to turn the vast amounts of operational data into smarter decisions, bridge the gap between digital promises and on？water realities, and build resilience along the way.

As a leading industry association in the global shipping sector, BIMCO has long been active in shaping industry standards and practical guidance. It has co？developed cyber security guidelines and workbooks, championed the “25 by 25 pledge” with tangible commercial results, launched a Digitalisation Network, introduced a Seafarer’s Digital Certificates Charter, and collaborated with Chinese maritime stakeholders to advance digitalisation.

In a recent exclusive interview with China Ship Survey press, Mr. Grant Hunter, BIMCO’s Chief Digital Officer and Director for Products shared his perspectives on the strategic value of data, the enabling role of digital technologies in the green transition, the key bottlenecks of digitalisation and ways to overcome them, and the practical takeaways from the “25 by 25 pledge” campaign. He also outlined BIMCO’s ongoing efforts in cybersecurity and seafarer digital certification, and offered his outlook on the potential impact of digital technologies including AI in shipping.

Mr. Grant Hunter, BIMCO’s Chief Digital Officer and Director for Products

Photo credit: BIMCO

Q: As BIMCO's Chief Digital Officer, how do you define the value of data in the modern shipping industry? Amid multiple challenges facing the shipping industry today, in what ways can digital tools effectively empower the development and facilitate the green transition of the industry?

A: Technology creates real value in shipping when it improves day-to-day vessel performance in measurable ways, particularly through better fuel efficiency, maintenance, and compliance. Digital tools for voyage optimisation, fuel monitoring, and just-in-time port arrivals are already helping operators cut both costs and emissions.

The same applies to predictive maintenance. When supported by reliable sensor data, it can reduce downtime, prevent equipment failures, and improve overall asset utilisation.

The bigger point is that digital transformation is not about collecting more data, because shipping already generates vast amounts of it. The real opportunity lies in turning that data into better operational decisions. As a result, shipowners will increasingly view data as a strategic asset. In the years ahead, competitive advantage will come not from simply owning technology, but from using it effectively, at scale, and in ways that strengthen core operations.

In a few short words, the greening of shipping is largely dependent on digital technologies to improve vessel efficiency and operations.

Q: BIMCO launched a new maritime Digitalisation Network initiative at the end of 2025, aiming to accelerate digital transformation in the industry. In your view, what is the biggest bottleneck currently constraining the digitalisation process in shipping? And how do you expect this new network to help overcome these challenges?

A: One of the biggest bottlenecks in shipping digitalisation is the persistence of proprietary, closed systems that do not interoperate. Instead of creating efficiency, they often lead to fragmentation across the industry.

In many cases, the technology itself is not the problem. The real challenge lies in bridging the gap between promise and operational reality, and in ensuring that solutions are implemented in ways that work in practice.

The purpose of BIMCO’s Digitalisation Network is to bring shipowners and technology providers together in a forum where they can openly discuss their concerns and pain points and share experiences. This, we hope, will help foster smarter business decisions when it comes to investing in new technology.

Q: The "25 by 25 pledge" initiated by BIMCO has made significant progress. What lessons can be learned from the success of this project to promote digital transformation in the industry?

A: The key lesson is that it demonstrates that the adoption and use of eBLs is achievable and it can be done now. The Campaign was not about running endless pilots and proofs of concept; it was about showcasing genuine commercial trade using eBLs. It proved that the growth and momentum behind eBL adoption is very real. It’s not about the number of eBLs issued in the bulk trade; it is about the volume and volume of cargo shipped.

Q: As digital tools become more widely adopted, the shipping industry is facing increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity risks. What concrete initiatives is BIMCO undertaking to support the industry in strengthening cybersecurity capabilities and building digital resilience?

A: The increased integration of systems and the greater use of digital ship-to-shore communication and data links now substantially increase ships’ exposure to cyber security threats. As cyber security threats are dynamic in nature, regulations alone are not enough to offer protection against such incidents. We are working together with other industry bodies in issuing cyber security guidelines.

Specifically, BIMCO joins forces with ICS, INTERCARGO, DCSA, SYBAss, InterManager, INTERTANKO, IUMI, OCIMF and WSC to regularly review and update the Guidelines on Cyber Security onboard Ships (commonly referred to as the Industry Guidelines). These guidelines help shipowners and operators assess their operations and develop the necessary procedures and actions to improve resilience and maintain integrity of cyber systems onboard their ships.

Software maintenance has a cyber security aspect. By initiative of BIMCO, IACS and CIRM, the IMO has included the "Development of guidelines for software maintenance of shipboard navigation and communication equipment and systems" on its agenda.

BIMCO has also issued a Position Statement, which recommends adopting the Industry Guidelines, building cyber-secure new ships, using its Cyber Security Clause in contracts, and raising awareness on training, while keeping regulatory focus on safety, environmental and society resilience threats and leaving business resilience to individual companies.

In addition, we have collaborated with Witherbys and ICS to produce the 7th edition of the Cyber Security Workbook for On Board Ship Use. It is a practical, straightforward guide with comprehensive checklists that support day-to-day onboard cyber security management and facilitate collaboration between ships, onshore IT departments and equipment manufacturers.

Q: Looking ahead three to five years, which digital technology do you believe will have the most disruptive impact on the shipping industry? And how will BIMCO lead industry transformation through digital products innovation?

A: The easy answer would be “AI”. I think the reality is more likely to be that AI will become a niche supportive technology working together with other technologies like blockchain. 5 years ago we could not have imagined the potential impact of AI. We can no more easily imagine what new technologies await us in the 3-5 years ahead.

BIMCO will be there to support and advise its members through the transformation – remaining technology neutral and business-solution focused.

Q: BIMCO officially launched the Seafarer's Digital Certificates Charter earlier this month. In your view, what are the critical factors that the adoption of seafarer's digital certification standards relies on? And could you share BIMCO’s next steps in this area?

A: Critical factors include implementing standards globally and ensuring interoperability between platforms. We also see as vitally important is that seafarers retain ownership of their own data. This project requires collaboration among all stakeholders to be effective, which is why we are bringing stakeholders together through our Charter.

Q: In March 2026, BIMCO signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Maritime Law Association and jointly launched the eBulk - Electronic Bill of Lading Campaign with COSCO SHIPPING Group. How do you evaluate these collaborations and how do you view the digital development potential of the Chinese shipping market?

A: Collaboration is a crucial tool in the acceptance and broad implementation of digitalization. It works hand in hand with interoperability and standard to achieve the scale necessary to make digitalization truly global. We are seeing significant, impressive and inspiring digital development potential in the Chinese shipping market.