Editing Maritime transport (section)

== Innovation and development ==
The global economy relies heavily on maritime transportation. Maritime transport accounts for over 80% of international [[trade]], according to [[United Nations Conference on Trade and Development|UNCTAD]] in 2021, and the percentage is even higher for most developing countries. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Review of Maritime Transport 2023 |url=https://unctad.org/publication/review-maritime-transport-2023 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250207153113/https://unctad.org/publication/review-maritime-transport-2023 |archive-date=2025-02-07 |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) |language=en}}</ref>In its Review of Maritime transport 2024, UNCTAD, points out that «  the sector, whose greenhouse gas emissions have risen 20% over the last decade, operates an ageing fleet that runs almost exclusively on fossil fuels ». Besides, maritime trade is expected to grow 2.4% in 2023 and more than 2% between 2024 and 2028.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Technology trends in Sea transportation.jpg|thumb|Technology trends in Sea transportation: patent landscape in maritime transport]]
Two significant megatrends are observed in terms of maritime transport innovation, sustainability and digitalization. A report published by [[World Intellectual Property Organization|WIPO]] in 2025 show a steady increase of [[Patent|patents]] publication in maritime transportation, the majority of which being related to sustainable [[propulsion]], followed by communication and security.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |title=WIPO Technology Trends: Future of Transportation - 4 Exploring transport modalities |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/wipo-technology-trends-future-of-transportation/en/4-exploring-transport-modalities.html#h2-sea-transportation |journal=WIPO Technology Trends |language=en}}</ref>

Transitioning to more sustainable forms of propulsion will help reach [[Climate change mitigation|decarbonization]] targets. Technological breakthroughs are advancing low and [[Zero emission|zero-emission]] solutions, including more sustainable carbon-based fuels, hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, electric propulsion, and optimizing energy consumption through efficient [[Naval architecture|ship design]]. However, according to the report, scaling up production and ensuring the cost-effectiveness of carbon-neutral fuels remains a challenge.<ref name=":1" /> 

Between 2000 and 2023, the number of published [[patent]] families in sustainable propulsion increased annually from less than 300 to more than 2,800. In this field, the most important area in terms of patent families is efficient ship design. This includes research activities focused on optimizing hull shape so as to minimize drag, designing efficient propellers or introducing air bubbles under the [[Hull (watercraft)|hull]]. [[China]] is the leader in efficient ship design, [[Electric battery|batteries]] and electric propulsion, and the [[South Korea]] has published the most patent families in hydrogen/[[fuel cell]] research and [[Sustainable energy|sustainable fuels]]. Another important research area is sustainable [[carbon-based fuel]]s. The vast majority of patents in this area relate to [[Liquefied natural gas|liquified natural gas]] (LNG) fuels for ships.<ref name=":1" />

Communication and Security technologies are making [[Ship|ships]] smarter and safer, with key research areas including navigation, device-to-device communication, low-latency communications, [[Cloud computing|cloud]] platforms, and [[Computer security|cybersecurity]]. Piracy and terror attacks remain a threat in international shipping, with global piracy and armed robbery incidents having increased in 2023 compared to 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=New IMB report reveals concerning rise in maritime piracy incidents in 2023 – ICC – Commercial Crime Services |url=https://icc-ccs.org/new-imb-abc-report-reveals-concerning-rise-in-maritime-piracy-incidents-in-2023/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=ICC Commercial Crime Services |language=en-US}}</ref>

Automation and Circularity technologies could boost productivity and enable more energy-efficient ships, with key research themes including efficient material use, smart production and robotics technology, and recycling, but represent a very small area of patenting in the last decade.

[[User interface|Human-Machine-Interface]] technologies are emerging as useful tools to improve the way we interact with ships. However, all HMI technologies are still in the early stages of development with little adoption in shipping. Research areas include extended reality technologies, [[speech recognition]] technology, [[Facial recognition system|facial recognition]], and touch displays.<ref name=":1" />

Over 70% of all Sea transport patents come from Asia, led by China (36%), the South Korea (25%) and [[Japan]] (9%). China’s growth has been on an upward trajectory since 2016, whereas the increase from the South Korea started earlier in 2010 but since 2012 annual filings from Korean inventors have remained relatively stable. [[Denmark]] is the most dynamic European nation, followed by [[Finland]], and [[France]], although absolute patent numbers remain relatively small. Only 14% of patents are from Europe and 11% from North America. Top patents owners are companies or universities, such as [[Harbin Engineering University]], [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]], [[Wuhan University of Technology]], [[Gaztransport & Technigaz]], [[Dalian Maritime University]], or [[Dalian Maritime University]].<ref name=":1" /> 

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