Artificial Intelligence News

Inhaca Sub Diving Services – Mozambique has announced the launch of Smart Hull Sight (SHS), a new AI-powered platform that digitalizes underwater hull inspections through 3D photogrammetry, corrosion detection, and CII performance analytics.Developed by Inhaca Sub’s diving and ROV specialists, SHS enables shipowners, class societies, and port operators to assess hull condition with unprecedented precision.The system automatically detects corrosion, estimates anode life, and generates…

Weathernews, a Japan-headquartered weather intelligence firm, and Belgium’s Toqua, a developer of physics-informed AI for ship performance modeling, have entered a strategic partnership to integrate vessel-specific performance models into Weathernews’ voyage optimization systems.The collaboration aims to improve fuel efficiency and operational predictability by combining Toqua’s AI-trained vessel performance models with Weathernews’ weather routing and optimization algorithms…

Harren Group, one of Germany’s ship-owning and maritime logistics specialists, will partner with Orca AI to strengthen navigational safety and operational efficiency for their newbuild heavy-lift vessels (HLVs), multipurpose vessels (MPVs), deck carriers and bulkers.Aligned with Harren Group’s shift toward quantifiable safety outcomes, the collaboration targets a reduction in actual and close encounters and near-misses—one of the company’s top operational KPIs. Orca AI’s operations platform combines the SeaPod digital lookout onboard with the FleetView analytics dashboard ashore…

LOOKOUT, a pioneer in marine safety, announced that Atlantis Marine Power is the exclusive UK distributor for LOOKOUT, the next-generation AI vision and situational awareness system designed to enhance the human watchkeeper. As the UK distributor, Atlantis Marine Power will provide sales, installation, and integration support for LOOKOUT systems via its dealer network, facilitating adoption across commercial, leisure, and defense sectors.LOOKOUT uses artificial intelligence and sensor fusion…

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has saved more than three thousand hours following the successful rollout of a data upskilling program in partnership with Multiverse. The training of the 68-strong cohort has enabled the MCA to develop a data-first culture, supporting the organization’s goal to harness data to improve safety at sea and to make the oceans cleaner.Using new insights from machine learning and statistical modeling, data apprentices have started to drive significant value for the MCA…

NYK, MTI, and Grid Co. have jointly developed an AI-based system that automates and optimizes the allocation plan of car carriers.Full-scale operations of the system were launched at NYK in July.NYK operates more than 100 car carriers, the largest fleet in the world. Historically, ship allocation planning has been an extremely complex and labor-intensive process, requiring the comprehensive evaluation of numerous conditions for hundreds of voyages several months in advance.To overcome these issues…

The World Shipping Council (WSC) has launched a Cargo Safety Program, an industry-led initiative to detect misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods in order to prevent ship fires.The program combines AI-powered cargo screening and common inspection standards to identify misdeclared and undeclared high-risk shipments before they are loaded.Ship fires are at their highest level in over a decade, according to Allianz's Safety and Shipping Review 2025. Misdeclared dangerous goods are a leading cause of ship fires…

Voltron Future announced the launch of its CTV-26 RON, a high performance crew transfer vessel designed for the offshore wind sector. This project marks Voltron Future’s official entry into the maritime industry. Developed in consultation with wind farm operators and marine professionals, the vessel prioritizes efficiency, reliability and crew comfort.The CTV-26 RON is a 26-meter multihull catamaran engineered for reduced fuel consumption, extended range and superior seakeeping. With capacity for 24 passengers and four crew, it achieves a top speed of 36 knots.

FarSounder announced an integration with SEA.AI, a leader in AI-powered vision systems for maritime safety. This integration is a new feature being launched with FarSounders' new web app with an intuitive User Interface (UI).Argos 3D Forward Looking Sonar (FLS) is FarSounder’s flagship product that delivers underwater awareness, providing real-time data up to 1,000 meters ahead of a vessel. With this new integration, captains and crew gain a holistic view of their surroundings…

The July/August issue of Offshore Engineer includes an update on patrolling robots. They are increasingly being used for inspection, maintenance and repair, and they are increasingly being operated, human-in-the-loop, in a cyber world that is a detailed digital twin of their offshore environment.Energy Robotics, for example, has built a software platform for operating all available oil and gas ATEX certified robots, including those of ExRobotics, Taurob, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

Maritime software company OrbitMI has acquired Gale Force, a provider of maritime advisory services. Gale Force specializes in voyage optimization, environmental compliance, and voyage execution support.This acquisition represents a strategic step forward in OrbitMI’s mission to deliver a comprehensive, intelligent maritime platform that meets the evolving expectations of clients. By integrating Gale Force’s expertise directly into the Orbit platform, clients gain faster access to actionable insights through intelligent…

Zelim, a leader in AI-driven maritime safety and security systems, has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Navy’s Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), Division Newport to trial ZOE for the detection of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).The agreement enables Zelim’s participation in BlueTIDE 2025, a demonstration event led by 401 Tech Bridge, NavalX, and the Northeast Tech Bridge. The event will culminate in a full-scale in-water trial on August 28 in Narragansett Bay…

A new technique developed by Australian researchers could stop unauthorised artificial intelligence (AI) systems learning from photos, artwork and other image-based content.Developed by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, in partnership with the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre (CSCRC) and the University of Chicago, the method subtly alters content to make it unreadable to AI models while remaining unchanged to the human eye.Defence organizations could shield…

When the maritime trade union Nautilus International asked memberswhat they thought of AI at a forum in January, there was some positive sentiment:“We shouldn’t automatically assume there will be problems with AI, as we’ve adopted other tech over the years without it being too intrusive for crew.”Others were not so sure:“There are worrying issues around liability and culpability if an incident happens involving a vessel operated using AI. Seafarers could take the blame when the…

Last year, Geo Sessions brought together over 5,300 registrants from 159 countries, with attendees representing education, government agencies, consulting, and top geospatial companies like Esri, NOAA, Airbus, Planet, and USGS. At this year's Geo Sessions, NV5 is raising the bar with a focus on artificial intelligence, thermal imaging, and hyperspectral capabilities, technologies that are transforming how organizations see, understand, and act on geospatial data.“Last year’s sessions proved there’s a huge appetite for actionable geospatial knowledge…

Geoffrey Hinton, the godfather of AI, has compared developing AI agents to owning a pet tiger.Speaking this week at the World AI Conference (WAIC 2025) in Shanghai, Yicai Global reported him saying: "Our current situation is like someone keeping a tiger as a pet. A tiger cub can indeed be a cute pet, but if you continue to keep it, you must ensure that it does not kill you when it grows up.”He says there are two choices: either train it so that it doesn't attack you or eliminate it.“For AI, we have no way to eliminate it,” he warned.

Tilla, a Berlin-based maritime tech startup, announced the successful closing of a USD$2.3 million (€2 million) funding round designed to accelerate the global expansion and innovation of its crew logistics platform. The round is led by global maritime venture capital firm Motion Ventures, which recently launched a $100 million maritime tech fund, alongside a strategic investment from EXMAR, a Belgian shipping company with a long-standing reputation under the Saverys family. The…

An Australian AI startup developing software for crewless boats said it has been granted one of the first AUKUS exemption licences by the Australian government, allowing it to share information with defence contractors in the U.S. and Britain.Defence officials have said Australia will rely more on autonomous systems to protect its vast coastline and up to 1.2 million square miles (3.1 million sq km) of northern ocean, even as it spends billions on nuclear-powered submarines.Australia…

BPMI, a defense prime contractor for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, has partnered with Gecko Robotics to introduce advanced manufacturing technology that supports the production of high-quality components installed aboard U.S. Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines. BPMI and its suppliers are working to leverage Gecko’s robotic and AI platforms to reduce inspection time spans on items ranging from simple forgings to complex final component manufacture. Through initial trials…

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, 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…

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 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.