Rather than giving my view, which would undoubtedly be incomplete and biased, I suggest you refer to publications which specifically address this issue systematically. As a research community, I believe we should rely on more in-depth analyses rather than personal opinions, and I hope my answer eases us in that direction.

Hence, refer to the following:

https://eto.dnvgl.com/2018/maritime

and the attached pdf file

Tools for sending, receiving, storing and analyzing information for navigation will also be hot items.

Indeed, the Internet of Things(IoT) is forgotten; in plain language, the communication of sensors and devices with a network through which they can interact with one another and with their users.

Blockchain, Augmented reality (AR) and Deep learning are also very interesting topics.

With the development of new generation technologies such as artificial intelligence, unmanned driving, autonomous navigation, big data and 5G have become hot spots for many experts. But for 2020, unmanned driving is in the midst of development.So, from where I stand, maritime big data tech and data analysis will do the biggest impact on maritime and maritime transport.

I would also sugest environmental protection technologies and alternative (green) fuel/ energy sources

Rather than giving my view, which would undoubtedly be incomplete and biased, I suggest you refer to publications which specifically address this issue systematically. As a research community, I believe we should rely on more in-depth analyses rather than personal opinions, and I hope my answer eases us in that direction.

Hence, refer to the following:

https://eto.dnvgl.com/2018/maritime

and the attached pdf file

Over the horizon (70-90 km) broadband communications on 2-7 GHz frequencies bands, with unbreakable encryption and 2W antennae power and 2 Mbps bandwidth. Low cost, resilient and applicable in coastal regions for ship to shore and ship to ship communications.

Floris Goerlandt is a experienced researcher in risk, and he had put it as objectively as possible. I think that blockchain has to prove its ability in the short term ahead. The industry is demanding more evidence of its ability, but a threat here might be cyber security. Blockchain, as proven technically as well as practically, does not provide truly immutability, let alone the approach manner of different platform. Other digitalization technologies are having, more or less, the same situation, where an attack or system failure might have devastating pervasive impact. So I think that sustainable technologies, which mainly encouraged and enforced by regulating bodies (an exception might be seen in Low-carbon shipping, but the technologies' immaturity is still relatively concerned), will not as attractive as digitalization to the industry, which is posing an imminent risk and big big gains in return (real-time decision making backed by big data, secured information for the flows of goods and money by blockchain, transparent supply chain, etc.)

https://www.bcg.com/ru-ru/publications/2018/digital-imperative-container-shipping.aspx

Yes, I agree fully. Information technologies of the current technological revolution Industry 4.0 as well as ecological innovations and increasing the possibilities of protection of natural biological marine ecosystems and renewable energy sources built in the marine area will be developed in the following years in the future.