The logistics world is no stranger to disruption. From warehousing as a service to AI-driven supply chains, transformation has become the new normal. Now, maritime shipping, the backbone of global logistics, is on the cusp of its own evolution. Ship Concept 2035, a joint study by Splash and Inmarsat, offers a fascinating glimpse into what the next decade could bring for sea freight logistics. 

From Crew to Code

Perhaps the most striking forecast: by 2035, half of all manual shipboard operations could be eliminated. Routine tasks like monitoring, reporting, and even navigation are increasingly delegated to AI, automation, and predictive analytics. This means ships will sail with smaller crews and smarter systems, but also with rising expectations from logistics partners on land.

Imagine vessels delivering real-time updates on delays, fuel levels, or cargo conditions – directly integrated into your warehouse or Transport Management System. Or a digital twin of your shipment sailing across the ocean, providing live diagnostics and alerts. This is not science fiction; it’s the industry’s trajectory. 

But with efficiency comes fragility. As digital dependence grows, so do cybersecurity threats, system failures, and the ongoing challenge of training crews fast enough to keep pace with the tools they’re expected to use.

Fuel as a Cost and Strategic Risk Factor

Despite bold climate goals, nearly half of surveyed experts believe most ships will still burn conventional bunker fuel in 2035. Why? Infrastructure and scalability remain key bottlenecks. While alternatives like ammonia or biofuels are promising, they aren’t yet viable at global scale. At the same time, the cost of sticking with traditional fuels will rise. Under new IMO frameworks, older vessels may face penalties of up to $15,000 per day by 2035.

For shippers and logistics providers, this means freight rates will increasingly reflect environmental performance – shaped not only by demand or distance, but by how green a shipment is. 

Visibility Starts at Sea

Maritime connectivity used to be a luxury, now it’s the enabler of modern logistics. The idea of the “office onboard” is spreading: real-time vessel data, video calls between sea and shore, even remote maintenance supported by AR. But don’t expect this to be evenly distributed as most ships still struggle with basic internet access, and only a fraction of the global fleet is expected to offer full, free broadband by 2035.

Why does this matter? Because visibility is no longer a competitive advantage - it’s a baseline. The more connected the vessel, the tighter its integration with logistics systems ashore. This opens the door to live ETAs, dynamic rerouting, and proactive disruption management. The downside? As ships become more connected, there’s a growing risk of flooding crews with overwhelming data, potentially slowing things down and turning agile operations into overmanaged complexity.

If you are picturing futuristic vessels with sails, solar panels, or robot arms - slow down. According to the report, the silhouette of ships in 2035 won’t look dramatically different. The real change is in how they think, communicate, and decide. The transformation isn’t in steel, it’s in systems.

Maritime shipping is entering a new era, one defined by data, automation, and real-time connectivity. Ships may not look radically different by 2035, but the way they operate, communicate, and integrate with the wider supply chain will change dramatically. 

For logistics professionals, this shift means greater transparency, smarter systems, and tighter coordination from departure to final destination. In 2035, vessels won’t just carry cargo – they’ll be active, intelligent nodes in an end-to-end digital logistics network.