At the Ferry Shipping Summit, both digitisation and digitalisation were used frequently — often interchangeably. In many languages there is no real distinction between the two terms. In English, however, they do mean different things, and understanding the difference helps clarify what kind of change we are really talking about.
Digitisation is the simple part: it means converting something analogue into a digital format. Scanning paper documents, creating digital tickets, or installing sensors that replace manual readings are all examples of digitisation. The underlying process stays the same; only the medium changes.
Digitalisation, on the other hand, goes further. It is about using digital tools to transform the way an organisation works. When ferry operators introduce automated check-in, predictive maintenance, or integrated booking and logistics platforms, they are not merely converting information — they are redesigning processes. Digitalisation changes workflows, decisions, customer interaction and, ultimately, business models.
Put simply:
- Digitisation = analogue to digital conversion
- Digitalisation = process and business transformation enabled by digital tools
