Maran Tankers Management (MTM) will invest in computer technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve navigation safety
The tanker operating group has contracted Orca AI to further develop the fleet’s situational awareness in areas with a high collision risk, and improve the operational efficiency for MTM’s tankers.
Orca AI’s automated situational awareness platform will be installed on ships to provide seafarers with navigation information, enabling them to make data-driven decisions in congested waters using purpose-built machine learning and computer-vision algorithms to provide information on fleet safety performance, enabling them to identify areas for further improvement.
“Maritime crude oil transport is a highly complex business,” said MTM managing director Mark Pearson. “Our safety-first approach, together with our openness to technological innovation, drives us to be on a constant lookout for cutting-edge solutions to lower safety risks,” he said.
“With Orca AI, MTM fleet crews now have additional highly advanced navigational equipment to use which allows data-driven, real-time decisions to be made.”
Nearly 4,000 maritime accidents occur annually, caused by low situational awareness in congested areas, human error, lack of insight and insufficient data on potential incidents.
Orca AI co-founder and chief executive Yarden Gross said MTM’s decision to install AI technology on tankers was another example of “Greek shipping leading in adopting new cutting-edge technologies.”
MTM’s adoption of Orca AI comes weeks after completion of the world’s first autonomous commercial ship voyage in congested waters in Japan with the safety platform.
The incident-free, 790-km autonomous voyage from Tokyo Bay, avoided 500 ships in its 40-hour journey. This trial was completed by Suzaku, a 749-gt container ship.
