A century of retrospective and future prospects of AI in maritime shipping: to 20th anniversary of ships and offshore structures

This commemorative article celebrates the 20th anniversary of Ships and Offshore Structures journal by examining the transformation of maritime shipping from the Titanic era to today's AI-driven maritime shipping. The paper traces the evolution of maritime technology, beginning with the foundational role of maritime shipping in global commerce and the early integration of AI-related technologies in navigation and automation systems. The current AI-driven transformation is analyzed through three key domains: autonomous ships and navigation systems, predictive maintenance and management systems, and maritime big data analytics. Looking forward, the paper identifies five critical areas for future AI development in maritime applications, including fully autonomous commercial vessels, integrated smart port ecosystems, advanced environmental compliance systems, predictive ocean modeling, and quantum-enhanced maritime AI. The article concludes by emphasizing the vital role that academic platforms such as the Ships and Offshore Structures journal and ICSOS conference series must continue to play in fostering responsible innovation, maintaining safety standards, and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration as the maritime industry navigates this transformative technological era. This reflection serves as both a tribute to the journal's contributions to maritime engineering advancement and a roadmap for embracing AI technologies while preserving the industry's commitment to safety and environmental stewardship.