The voice of IT Leadership in the commercial maritime industry
Editor’s Note
Digital risk, connectivity, compliance, and decarbonisation are the key highlights in today’s stories.
As flagged by Avikus, a live spoofing incident underscores how fragile positioning data can be, even as connectivity and AI tools promise greater efficiency.
Meanwhile, practical energy solutions such as solar and wind continue to be deployed. These developments point to a sector balancing innovation with resilience.
Communications & Cyber Security
GPS spoofing in Hormuz challenges ship safety systems, Avikus warns
A live GPS spoofing incident near the Strait of Hormuz revealed how easily navigation systems can be misled, with a vessel appearing to move despite remaining at anchor. This shows the growing exposure of ships to false positioning data as digital reliance increases. As autonomy advances, ensuring the integrity of navigation data is important to safe operations.
Communications & Cyber Security
Starlink UAE entry sharpens maritime connectivity
The UAE’s approval of Starlink introduces low-Earth-orbit (LEO) connectivity into a region long shaped by legacy infrastructure. A much-awaited development, it is still influenced by existing systems. Operators are weighing improved performance and redundancy against uneven regulatory frameworks.
Software, Big Data & IoT
DNV RuleAgent improves digital compliance
DNV’s new AI tool, RuleAgent, aims to simplify access to complex regulatory frameworks through natural-language queries. By linking answers directly to verified sources, it reduces time spent understanding compliance requirements. Early use suggests it improves how technical teams manage regulatory decision-making.
Where operational excellence meets net zero ambition
Propulsion and future fuels
Solar gains for Vertom and Wattlab
Wattlab and Vertom are using solar power, with systems now supplying a meaningful share of onboard energy demand. The technology delivers fuel savings without disrupting cargo operations, addressing a key barrier to adoption. With a viable return on investment, solar is a practical option for emissions reduction.
Propulsion and future fuels
EPS and bound4blue advance wind decarbonisation
Eastern Pacific Shipping’s latest newbuild integrates wind-assisted propulsion at the construction stage. This is a growing confidence in the technology. Early results show measurable fuel savings, supporting both cost and regulatory goals.
Yesterday’s Most Engaging Story
From dashboards to decisions: How Columbia Shipmanagement is reframing AI at sea
Columbia Shipmanagement’s experience shows that AI success depends less on technology and more on structured data, clear processes and crew adoption. By focusing on decision-making rather than dashboards, the company is seeing measurable gains in fuel efficiency and operational performance. The real shift is behavioural, not technical.