Big Data usage in the Maritime industry : A Qualitative Study for the use of Port State Control (PSC) inspection data by shipping professionals

Vessels during their calls on ports is possible to have an inspection from the local Port State Control (PSC) authorities regarding their implementation of International Maritime Organization guidelines for safety and security. This qualitative study focuses on how shipping professionals understand and use Big Data in the PSC inspection databases, what characteristics they recognize these data should have, what value they attach to those big data, and how they use them to support the decision-making process within their organizations. This study conducted interviews with shipping professionals, collected their perspectives, and analyzed their sayings with Thematic Analysis to reach the study's outcome. Many researchers have been discussed Big Data characteristics and the value an organization or a researcher could have from Big Data and Analytics. However, there is no universally accepted theory regarding Big Data characteristics and the value for the database users. The research concluded that Big Data from the PSC inspections procedures provides valid and helpful information that broadens professionals' understanding of inspection control and safety need, through this, it is possible to upscale their internal operations and their decision-making procedures as long as these data are characterized by volume, velocity, veracity, and complexity.