Hamburg Deploys AI to Boost Efficiency of Electric Ferry Fleet

Hadag, the operator of Hamburg’s ferry services, is adopting an AI-powered platform to optimize the scheduling and operation of its electric ferry fleet.The AI system will support daily operations by tailoring charging strategies, managing energy demand, and enhancing communication with passengers via digital displays and mobile apps. With three electric ferries already delivered in 2024 and more on the way, Hadag is on track to operate a fully zero-emissions fleet.As a member of the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance, Hamburg aims to cut emissions by 55% by 2030 and by 95% by 2050.
HII, C3 AI Forge Partner to Support US Navy Shipbuilding

HII, America’s largest military shipbuilder, and C3 AI, the Enterprise AI application software company, have announced a strategic partnership to expand digital technologies and apply artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate shipbuilding throughput at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding and Ingalls Shipbuilding divisions.These efforts are expected to accelerate production and support the U.S. Navy’s fleet readiness needs. The collaboration will also include opportunities in uncrewed…
Sustainable Shipping Research Centre Launched in Glasgow

A new Research Centre dedicated to advancing sustainable shipping has been launched by the University of Strathclyde in partnership with international shipping company Oldendorff Carriers.The Centre will address evidence gaps critical to an effective industry transition, focusing on technological, operational and human factors, including the impacts of decarbonization measures on crew.Key research areas will also encompass the design of next-generation, energy-efficient vessels…
ABS and HD Hyundai Samho Collaborate on AI for Shipbuilding

ABS and HD Hyundai Samho signed a memorandum of understanding for the technical collaboration for an AI-based smart shipyard.The agreement establishes a cooperative framework for both organizations to leverage smart technologies such as AI, automation and robotics to identify opportunities for process improvement at HD Hyundai Samho shipyard. ABS will utilize its established Guide for Smart Technologies for Shipyards in the review process.“Advanced technologies are transforming shipyard operations and opening new avenues for progress.
BV Leverages AI on Next-Gen Augmented Surveyor 3D

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) introduced its latest digital innovation, the Augmented Surveyor 3D (AGS 3D), an inspection tool that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and localize structural anomalies on ships and offshore assets.The new solution was piloted successfully on a TotalEnergies-operated FPSO in West Africa. During the trial, drones captured extensive image and LiDAR data from two ballast tanks, which AGS 3D used to build a detailed 3D model, complete with AI-enhanced corrosion mapping.
AI (predictably) Drives Maritime Start-Up Growth

The rise of AI, regional innovation hotspots, and a wave of funding define this year’s maritime tech landscapeFor the third year running, the “Global Maritime Tech Startup Map” has been released—an evolving snapshot of the world’s most promising maritime software startups. The 2025 edition charts 176 startups across categories from vessel condition monitoring to crewing software, highlighting a growing appetite for artificial intelligence and an increasingly global spread of innovation....
Sea.AI Technology Supports European Initiative to Protect Whales

In the continuing effort to protect whales from deadly ship strikes, Sea.AI is collaborating with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) and the University of La Laguna (ULL) to support efforts under the European Union’s ATLANTIC WHALE DEAL project.Whales face increasing threats from ship collisions in busy maritime routes. The ATLANTIC WHALE DEAL brings together scientists, conservationists and technology experts from across Europe to tackle the problem.Sea.AI will provide its AI-powered machine vision technology which detects and classifies objects on the water’s surface.
ABS, Herbert Engineering Report Details Design Considerations for Floating Data Centers

How can the global energy grid keep pace with fast-growing demand from new data centers supporting artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing? Nuclear energy and coastal waters offer a potential answer.The potential for floating nuclear-powered data centers is explored in depth in the latest research from ABS and Herbert Engineering. Pathways to a Low Carbon Future Floating Nuclear Power Data Center details design considerations for a floating data center that would use…
ABS and HD Hyundai Mipo to Advance Automated Shipbuilding

ABS and HD Hyundai Mipo (HMD) have signed a joint development project (JDP) for digital manufacturing-based automation equipment for shipyards.The JDP will focus on leveraging smart technology within HD Hyundai Mipo’s shipyard operations that include artificial intelligence, communication technologies, automation and robotics.ABS will utilize its Guide for Smart Technologies for Shipyards to help HMD identify opportunities for process improvement focusing on key features such as hyper-connectivity…
StormGeo to Leverage AI for Enhanced Port Congestion Insights

StormGeo, a provider of maritime technology solutions, has partnered with the Finnish artificial intelligence (AI) analytics company Awake.AI to deliver AI-powered port analytics to its clients.StormGeo will promote and deliver Awake.AI’s advanced port call analytics integrated in its s-Insight solution, further enhancing its voyage optimization services.The partnership will offer StormGeo clients improved ETA predictions on competing vessels and better visibility into port congestion…
CMT Warns Against AI Dependence in Engine Monitoring, Human Engineers Remain Critical

Condition Monitoring Technologies (CMT) has cautioned against placing sole reliance on artificial intelligence in ship condition monitoring, warning that human expertise remains essential to ensure safety and accuracy in maritime operations.As the shipping industry rapidly adopts AI-driven systems for machinery testing and diagnostics, CMT acknowledges the growing potential of these technologies to process vast quantities of data and assist with condition monitoring tasks. However…
WiseStella: AI-Powered Behavioral Competency Tool Helps Tanker Company Secure Charter

WiseStella has announced that its technology has played a pivotal role in helping a globally trading tanker operator secure a landmark charter agreement with a prominent oil major.By using the WiseStella’s Behavioral Competency Assessment Tool (BCA) prior to a TMSA audit, the tanker crews were able to demonstrate behavioral competencies beyond standard expectations, resulting in the ship manager being recognized for Best Practice by the oil major.The TMSA review highlighted the undisclosed operator’s robust processes for managing organizational change…
Hefring Marine, Marine AI Partner to Enhance Maritime Autonomy

Icelandir Hefring Marine and UK-based Marine AI announced a mutually beneficial partnership. This collaboration aims to enhance autonomous maritime operations by integrating Hefring Marine’s Intelligent Marine Assistance System (IMAS) with Marine AI’s GuardianAI autonomy suite.This partnership sets the stage for seamless technological integration, where Hefring Marine’s IMAS will complement GuardianAI’s existing capabilities by providing real-time insights into sea conditions, optimizing vessel operations, and improving safety.
Explainable AI for Autonomous Ship Navigation Aims to Increase Trust

The Titanic sunk 113 years ago on April 14-15 after hitting an iceberg, with human error likely causing the ship to stray into dangerous waters. Today, autonomous systems built on artificial intelligence (AI) could help ships avoid such accidents, but could such a system explain to the captain why it was maneuvering a certain way?That’s the idea behind explainable AI which should help human actors trust autonomous systems more.Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate…
DataMondial Launches AI-Driven Service for Processing Ocean Freight Rates

DataMondial, a player in the world of data and document processing, announced the launch of its latest service: an AI-powered robotization system for processing ocean freight rates. This new service is designed to help logistics providers manage their ocean freight rates and prepare proposals faster, more efficiently, and with greater accuracy.With the introduction of this AI-driven service, DataMondial is taking a significant step in expanding its services and supporting the digital transformation of the logistics industry.
CMA CGM to Use AI to Boost Productivity

Shipping giant CMA CGM and tech startup Mistral AI expect rapid productivity gains from a 100 million euro ($110 million) partnership unveiled on Sunday, which the French firms also touted as a commitment to their home country amid the global trade tensions.The five-year partnership, which will bring CMA CGM's AI-related spending to 500 million euros ($550 million), will focus on customer service in shipping and logistics and factchecking at its French media businesses that include news channel BFM TV.In a joint interview with Mistral's co-founder and CEO Arthur Mensch…
Maritime Laboratory Established at University of Osaka

The University of Osaka, in collaboration with Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan Marine United Corporation, ClassNK and MTI will establish the Open Collaboration Laboratory for Enabling Advanced Marine Systems (OCEANS) at the University of Osaka in April 2025.Nihon Shipyard (NYS), a sales and design company owned by Imabari Shipbuilding and Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU), will also participate in the design and engineering research activities led by OCEANS.The initiative aims to promote the global competitiveness of Japan’s maritime industry.In an era of unprecedented change…
AI Technology Targets Enhanced Naval Escort Safety

To ensure safe passage, high-value assets such as Navy aircraft carriers require escorts when entering or exiting crowded harbors. The Perception Autonomy for Vessel Escorts (PAVE) system from Charles River Analytics automates the process to reduce the number of people required and increase the speed for each mission.The company has now won a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract sponsored by the Naval Sea Systems Command which is worth up to $1.8M.While PAVE is not the first of its kind…
New Maritime AI Innovation Lab Targets Improved Ship Design and Operations

A consortium of Damen, TU Delft, SafeSystems, RH Marine, NHL Stenden University of Applied Science and MARIN kicked off the Maritime AI Innovation Lab. This new lab provides a unique and modular development environment for the entire maritime industry and aims to improve designs and operations of future ships.Its broad approach includes physical modeling and measurements on scale models, simulators and in actual operations. These are combined with the latest AI techniques to achieve reliable and trustworthy AI models.
Seaspan Corporation Integrates Orca AI's SeaPod Across Fleet

Orca AI celebrated a milestone as Seaspan Corporation, a global containership powerhouse, integrates its SeaPod digital watchkeeper across its entire fleet to support safety improvements and operational cost savings.As part of its digitalization strategy, Seaspan began using Orca AI's SeaPod digital watchkeeper on select vessels to enhance situational awareness for navigation. An analysis of Seaspan’s fleet performance from 2023−2024 revealed positive results: a 35% increase in the minimum average distance between vessels in open waters and a 37% decrease in close encounters.By using Orca AI…
Uncrewed Maritime Vessels Must Leverage AI

In September 2024, the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, issued her Chief of Naval Operations Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy. This Navigation Plan embodies “Project 33” in recognition of the fact that Admiral Franchetti is the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations. Project 33 sets targets for enabling the U.S. Navy to make strategically meaningful gains in the fastest possible time. This Plan has several components:The readiness component of the Navigation Plan has the goal of eliminating ship…
HarborLab Launches AI-Powered Disbursement Tool for Port Operators

HarborLab, the Athens-based maritime technology company, launched a new AI-powered feature designed to optimize Disbursement Account (DA) analysis and streamline port expense management.This latest innovation, known as HL AI, is part of the company’s drive to fully integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its entire platform ecosystem helping shipowners and operators unlock efficiency and major cost savings in daily vessel operations.With annual port-related spending for ship owners and operators being currently roughly $2 million per year for a single vessel on voyage charter…
Robosys Automation Unveils Autonomous Trial Boat

Robosys Automation, maritime autonomy software developer, has unveiled its new autonomous trials boat, which has been commissioned to deliver testing and sea trials in support of integrating clients’ software and hardware with the VOYAGER AI suite.Robosys’ new boat, the “Pioneer,” is a 6.75 meter SeaPro Center Console 222 supplied by Kirby Marine US and is powered by a Suzuki DF 250 APX outboard engine.The SeaPro was selected as a trials boat that features a Dometic Seastar steering system and a Furuno radar.