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AI is not only used on land, but also at sea. At least at the ferry company Stena Line, where the development and implementation of a new AI system, called Voyage Optimisation System, has been tested on crossings between Gothenburg and the Danish port of Frederikshavn, among others. The use of AI helps to optimise vessel operations by accurately analysing a number of factors that affect the vessel's voyage, such as wind, waves and depth during the journey, ensuring correct and energy-efficient power output.This data is collected in real time and processed through AI-powered algorithms, thus reducing fuel consumption and securing the operational strategy.
"It is clear that the use of AI both optimises our operations and supports our vision of a more sustainable future. It is positive to see how the technology has not only enabled significant progress in our efforts to reduce carbon emissions and streamline work, but also gives our crew more time to manage day-to-day operations," said Michael Ljunge, Digital Engineering Manager at Stena Line.
An assistant for shipping
The developers of the AI system work closely with the ship's crew, both navigators and captains, to continuously receive feedback and make adjustments. This collaboration has proven to be crucial in improving the AI solutions and ensuring its practicality in operations.
"One of the biggest challenges in implementing AI has been ensuring that everyone on board understands how the system works. We originally named the system 'AI Captain', but changed this shortly afterwards to avoid misconceptions that AI would replace human decision-making. Instead, the technology is now presented as an intelligent assistant that supports the captain's and crew's decisions, which has helped to integrate the AI system in a more natural way and as a tool that complements human expertise and experience," explains Michael Ljunge.
The increased use of AI and the subsequent efficiency developments are just the beginning. With current technological advances, Stena Line is expected to continue to set the standard for more environmentally friendly and innovative maritime transportation. These developments are also part of Stena Line's broader strategy to integrate sustainable solutions into all areas of its business, including the company's travel agency Sembos' introduction of an AI assistant that streamlines travel planning and booking and transforms the traditional travel industry.
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Real-time, data-driven insights supporting regulatory compliance, improving fleet efficiency, reducing operational costs and meeting fleet decarbonization goals are key benefits of ABS WavesightMy Digital Fleet(MDF) software that were unveiled today during Posidonia. MDF introduces groundbreaking features aimed at empowering maritime operators to optimize performance, improve energy efficiency and streamline compliance with decarbonization requirements from both the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union.
“With its deeply rooted connection to ABS, an organization grounded in safety, regulation and compliance, My Digital Fleet brings performance and compliance together all in one platform. Today’s announcement reinforces our commitment to remaining at the forefront of regulatory compliance while providing the industry with the solutions they need to optimize performance and meet decarbonization goals,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO and Chairman of ABS Affiliated Companies.
One of the standout features of MDF is its EU ETS compliance support, enabling users to accurately track CO2emissions by vessel and across entire fleets. This functionality provides invaluable assistance in meeting regulatory requirements and facilitates more precise reporting of EU allowances, driving accuracy for commercial use and seamless compliance with emissions regulations.
"We are excited to unveil the latest My Digital Fleet software, which represents a significant milestone in our commitment to revolutionizing vessel performance monitoring and compliance support," said Staci Satterwhite, ABS Wavesight CEO. "With its innovative features and modernized architecture, MDF empowers shipowners, operators and charterers to optimize performance, reduce fuel consumption, and gain compliance with regulatory requirements, setting a new standard for addressing risk within vessel performance software in the maritime industry."
The redesigned My Digital Fleet also boasts advanced vessel performance monitoring capabilities, offering unparalleled insights into the impact of hull and propeller condition on propulsion efficiency. By leveraging this powerful tool, operators can gain a comprehensive understanding of fuel usage and wastage, facilitating collaboration between performance and technical teams to optimize vessel conditions. Furthermore, with the integration of dynamic vessel performance models, real-time adjustments to operational conditions can be made, enabling increased power/engine efficiency and reduced fuel overconsumption.
In addition to performance monitoring, new vessel data monitoring capabilities establish a foundation for monitoring and evaluating the quality of data generated by vessels across an organization's fleet. Providing a visual representation of vessel data types and flagging potential issues, this innovative tool offers actionable feedback to enhance data quality at its source.
MDF also introduces a new intuitive interface, featuring an efficient yet robust design to facilitate easy adoption with a focus on providing an instinctive user experience. Moreover, with a new, modernized architecture, MDF offers enhanced connectivity across the ABS Wavesight product portfolio and third-party applications, improved reliability and reduced cost of ownership with true SaaS infrastructure, and top-of-the-line security with SOC2 Type I and Type II and ISO27001 certifications.
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Eastern Pacific Shipping(EPS) has entered into an agreement withDeepSea Technologiesto implement a comprehensive, fleet-wide deployment of DeepSea’s pioneering Cassandra Performance Monitoring platform. This strategic partnership will deepen EPS’ existing commitment to exploring digital solutions, and comes after an extensive trial process on the accuracy of DeepSea’s high-frequency AI performance models.
By leveraging DeepSea’s revolutionary Cassandra system, EPS will monitor its diverse and extensive fleet in real-time, through accurate AI-generated digital twins of vessel machinery. The fleet spans across multiple segments, including bulk, tanker, gas, container, and PCTC vessels. The implementation of this advanced technology will enable EPS to harness high-frequency data across all segments.
EPS is recognised as an industry leader in the adoption of innovative technology in its fleet. Notably, the company is distinguished by its modern and diverse fleet composition equipped with high-frequency sensors. These sensors facilitate the collection of granular data, providing unparalleled insights into fleet performance.
DeepSea Technologies, a trailblazer in the high-frequency data revolution within the shipping industry, brings a wealth of expertise in AI modelling and data aggregation. Since its inception, DeepSea has been dedicated to advancing high-frequency data solutions in maritime operations.
The collaboration between EPS and DeepSea Technologies will equip EPS with precise and detailed modelling and analytics. The Cassandra solution will deliver the most advanced and current understanding of the entire fleet’s performance, enabling EPS to make well-informed and dynamic decisions in real-time. This enhanced decision-making capability will allow EPS to minimise fuel consumption, reduce GHG emissions, and support its decarbonisation goals.
EPS’ Fleet Performance Manager Pavlos Karagiannidis explains:“As we embark on this journey of digital transformation, harnessing the power of DeepSea's Cassandra platform, we're not just optimising performance. We are charting a course towards a more sustainable and efficient future for maritime operations.”
DeepSea are very pleased to be working with such an esteemed partner.As outlined byCEO Konstantinos Kyriakopoulos, “We are very excited to start rolling out our solution across EPS’ diverse fleet and look forward to continuing to improve our offerings through the feedback of such a leading player in the industry."
This new partnership signifies a clear mutual initiative in digitising and decarbonising the shipping industry.
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VIKAND, the global leader in maritime healthcare, and Riverr, a pioneering AI deeptech start-up based in Singapore, join forces to revolutionize healthcare management for millions of seafarers worldwide, leveraging advanced AI and machine learning to unlock valuable healthcare data and significantly improve onboard health and safety.
VIKAND's data management system will be enhanced by integrating key functionalities from Riverr's AI-powered healthcare platform, including Riverr Care Studio and Riverr AI Health Companion. This integration will empower a personalized approach to seafarer healthcare. By analysing individual health data, Riverr AI can identify potential health risks early on. This allows for preventative measures and interventions, ultimately leading to fewer medical emergencies and improved crew well-being. This proactive approach to healthcare not only benefits seafarers by ensuring their well-being at sea, but also maritime operators. Each forecast will utilize specific healthcare data to identify and explain the risks faced by crew members, enabling timely and targeted interventions.
Furthermore, the partnership offers significant cost benefits for maritime operators. Riverr's AI technology can predict potential health crises before they occur, leading to fewer costly medical evacuations and reduced resource utilization. This translates to substantial financial savings for shipping companies.
The partnership also addresses the crucial issue of mental health in the maritime industry. Early identification of mental health risks through AI analysis, combined with VIKAND's expertise, can lead to timely interventions and access to mental health resources. This improves crew morale and reduces the risk of mental health emergencies at sea.
One of the standout features of Riverr’s platform is its ability to predict the risk of medical events that could lead to repatriation, a significant concern for maritime operators. By identifying potential health crises before they occur, VIKAND and Riverr holds the potential to prevent costly medical events and improve the overall safety and well-being of seafarers.
“Partnering with Riverr allows us to take a significant step forward in advancing health equity and sustainability in the maritime industry,” said Peter Hult, CEO of VIKAND. “With Riverr’s Bedrock platform, we enhance health outcomes for seafarers while driving social sustainability practices by providing comprehensive insights into workforce health.”
Riverr CEO & Founder Kristina Lynge added, "At Riverr, we are deeply committed to advancing social sustainability and global health equity through innovative solutions and partnerships. Our partnership will enable corporations with insights into their workforce health. By leveraging our safe technology platform, which analyses de-identified data, we are not only de-risk the management of health data but also predict health risks. Partnering with VIKAND allows us to extend these benefits to the maritime industry, ensuring seafarers receive proactive, personalized care and organisations can make informed decisions."
The ultimate aim of incorporating Riverr’s technology is to create a collaborative health ecosystem which results in a preventive healthcare model, which not only saves ship operators money but also creates a safer onboard environment while making seafarers feel valued and appreciated.
“VIKAND and Riverr share a common goal around improving seafarer wellness and sustainability in the maritime industry. With a serious shortfall of seafarers predicted by 2026, we need to ensure that our current workforce remains healthy. Having access to unambiguous healthcare data is vital to ensure proactive measures can be taken to minimize risk and safeguard crew welfare. Following on from our recent partnership announcement with Scoutbase, which collates live feedback from seafarers on safety critical issues, this initiative completes the circle of continuously monitoring seafarers’ welfare and taking proactive action when required,” said Peter Hult, CEO, VIKAND.
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Complete with over 100 user requested features, streamlined vessel applications and enhanced user experience, ABS has launched Eagle UnifiedTM, an industry-leading structural design verification software tool. The launch is the latest in a series of investments in major new engineering capabilities which have been delivered by ABS in recent weeks.
Eagle UnifiedTM is a single tool that can support multiple vessel types, with containership and LNGC capabilities available at launch, and with future releases to incorporate LPG, ammonia, hydrogen and CO2 carriers.
“It’s a new and dynamic technological world, and ABS is investing in our software and services to make sure we remain on the cutting edge, supporting our clients to take advantage of the capabilities and efficiencies that these advanced new ways of working can deliver,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO. “These products are designed to facilitate innovation, modernize processes and drive forward the frontiers of safety, delivering a best-in-class experience for our clients.”
Eagle UnifiedTM follows hard on the heels of the launch of an enhanced ABS MyFreedom™ Client Portal that is built on a product life cycle management backbone and features a more modern, responsive, comprehensive and streamlined interface for engineering clients. Built for the future, the upgraded platform is designed to manage data-heavy, next-generation engineering tools such as 3D plans, integrated computer-aided engineering models, simulations, streaming data and other digital assets – ultimately, a fully scalable digital twin system for compliance and safety.
The system also features seamless integration of client files for easier collaboration, faster search capabilities, automated reports and comprehensive life-cycle management from concept to operation. In January 2024, ABS delivered the ABS Rule Enhancements program, which enables the safe and rapid adoption of innovation and technology impacting next generation vessel designs and equipment. ABS Marine Vessel Rules now include an extensive set of newly developed functional requirements and a standardized risk-based methodology which provides a path for class approval.
“The improvements we are introducing are dramatic and will enhance collaboration and communication across the industry while streamlining our work processes. ABS is pioneering a new way of working that capitalizes on the latest advances in digital technology that supports the design and development of the next generation of vessels, right at a time when the industry needs Class to support the many new vessel designs that are rapidly emerging,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.
