FREMONT, CA: Being a leading contender of innovative advancements, nanotechnology is showing the world its capabilities by impacting the shipping industry. Nanotechnology can miniaturize devices that hold similar potential as a full-sized machine. The operation of individual atoms and molecules at a nano-level can cause a different change in dimension and tolerance of devices. Nanotechnology can create a macro development in every single sector of a manufacturing process leading to an efficient and cost-effective business ecosystem.

The digital urbanization leads nanotechnology to creep into the shipping industry and assists the sector to undergo development simultaneously. The structural redesigning of metals at nanoscale has allowed the shipping industry to unlock the true potential. An increase in the hardness of a material, the elevation of thermal and electrical resistivity adds a perfect substitute for traditional ship construction components.  The materialistic breakthrough achieved by nanotechnology contributes to a safer journey and minimizes the need for timely repairs and replacements. Application of nano-coating decreases corrosion rates and elongates the utilization period and further enhances the longevity for the ship.

As employing large vessels increases the pollution outputs, so the move to deploy nanotechnology in the shipping sector has become crucial. The unbound sensitive resources like the sea, air, and land are more vulnerable toward toxic chemicals and pollutants, creating the need for an eco-friendly technological practice. The companies operating large machines need to adhere to corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies in order to check pollution.  

The focused and micro-inspective nature of nanotechnologies make it a perfect fit for shipping security as it reduces the possibility to breach checkpoints and smuggle unauthorized drugs and weapons. The monitoring of unauthorized smuggled goods by nano-sensors acts as an added barrier for terrorists, smugglers, and criminals. The application of traceability by integrating nano-chips on valuable products reduces the risk of misplacing items and increases the detection of proxy devices. Even though nanotechnology is at an infant stage in the transportation sector, but it has managed to revolutionize the shipping industry. As the world moves toward a technological shift with upcoming technologies, the use of nanotechnology can uncover uncharted territories in every industry.