HGK Shipping Charts a Digital Course with Neuland.ai

Europe’s largest inland shipping company is taking a bold step into digitalisation. HGK Shipping has partnered with Cologne-based neuland.ai to launch its own AI platform this November, aiming to make inland shipping operations smarter, faster, and more connected.

Why it matters: AI could reshape one of Europe’s most traditional sectors, helping HGK’s 300-vessel fleet optimize routes, maintenance, and customer service while reducing inefficiencies across the supply chain.

“The introduction of our own AI solution marks a significant milestone along our journey towards becoming a digital shipping company,” said Steffen Bauer, CEO of HGK AG and Chairman of the Managing Board of HGK Shipping.
Neuland.ai’s founder Karl-Heinz Land added, “It’s our goal to consistently analyse processes and improve them using modern AI solutions – by constantly focusing on people.”

The bottom line: From Cologne’s tech scene to the Rhine’s riverways, HGK Shipping is proving that even Europe’s oldest transport routes can learn new tricks in the AI era….read more

Anschütz Unveils Autonomics for Smarter Ships

Anschütz GmbH has officially launched Anschütz Autonomics, a suite of technologies bringing autonomous navigation and mission automation to both manned and unmanned vessels. The system builds on decades of navigation expertise and has already been tested with the German Navy.

Why it matters: The platform could redefine ship control, merging optical target tracking, collision avoidance, and advanced motion control under one system—key for naval, commercial, and research vessels pushing toward automation.

“Anschütz Autonomics represents a true innovation for unmanned operations in maritime security, defence, and commercial applications,” said Andreas Weidner, Managing Director at Anschütz GmbH.

The bottom line: From the Kiel Fjord to naval trials, Anschütz is proving autonomy at sea is no longer a concept; it’s a course correction for how ships will navigate tomorrow….read more

ABS Levels Up Maritime Training with MetaSHIP Deal

ABS has acquired MetaSHIP, the immersive training platform developed by Turkey’s Orka Informatics, expanding its digital training capabilities for seafarers worldwide.

Why it matters: The move gives ABS a powerful tool to train crews safely through gamified simulation, replicating real vessel conditions onshore or online, a crucial step for building skills in a tech-driven maritime future.

“Investment in advanced training that delivers true competence rather than minimum standards is not optional,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO.
MetaSHIP innovator Levent Şen added, “Seeing it evolve into a technology that will now empower seafarers around the world under ABS’ leadership is incredibly rewarding.”

The bottom line: From classrooms to consoles, ABS is turning maritime training into an immersive experience that could redefine how the next generation of seafarers learns the ropes….read more

Divided Seas: Power and Price in the IMO’s Climate Battle

As the IMO prepares for a pivotal vote on its global Net Zero Framework, tensions are rising between climate ambition and national interest. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia are leading opposition to what they call a “global carbon tax,” while China and the EU defend it as essential for a fair, greener shipping future.

Why it matters: If approved, the framework would create the first global carbon-pricing system for ships, directing funds to cleaner vessels and climate-vulnerable nations.

Question: Can the world’s shipping powers set aside rivalry long enough to steer toward a cleaner future, or will politics and inequality leave the industry dead in the water?

The bottom line: With the world’s largest fleets divided, the IMO’s vote could determine whether global shipping steers toward collective decarbonisation, or drifts further apart….read more

Lloyd’s Register Maps Out Nuclear Path for Shipping

Lloyd’s Register has published Navigating Nuclear Energy in Maritime, a new guide co-developed with Global Nuclear Security Partners and NorthStandard, offering the first clear roadmap for nuclear propulsion in commercial shipping.

Why it matters: The framework outlines how nuclear power could deliver zero-emission propulsion while ensuring safety, security, and regulatory alignment with the IMO and IAEA.

“Nuclear energy has the potential to transform maritime, providing a scalable and zero-carbon energy source,” said Mark Tipping, LR’s Global Power to X Director.
Nick Tomkinson of GNSP added, “Maritime nuclear will only succeed when safety, security and safeguards are considered together from the start.”

The bottom line: Nuclear propulsion is no longer science fiction; it’s entering the rulebook, one guidance document at a time….read more

Smart Air Powers KNOT’s New Shuttle Tanker

COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Zhoushan) has tapped Norway’s TMC Compressors to supply a Smart Air system for a new 154,000-dwt shuttle tanker built for Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers (KNOT).

Why it matters: The system uses frequency-controlled compressors that cut power use by up to 40 percent, helping shipowners lower operating costs and emissions.

“Lower air consumption requires less speed on the compressor. This directly results in less power consumption which translates to lower operating expenditure and less emissions to air,” said Hans-Petter Tanum, TMC’s Director of Sales and Business Development.

The bottom line: Cleaner shipping isn’t only about fuel; sometimes, it’s the air that makes all the difference….read more

ICYMI:

Yesterday’s Digital Ship Daily

🩺 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗻𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱: 𝗔𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗮
Atlantas Group India is rolling out Vikand’s Telemedicine Digital Plus system across its fleet, in partnership with Navarino.

📱 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗙𝗹𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗣𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁
NAVTOR’s new NavFleet app is making ship management mobile. The app connects shipowners and operators to real-time vessel data, weather, routes, and alerts; all from a smartphone.

🌐 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 & 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱
The The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey has signed a long-term deal with Boingo Wireless to deliver 5G and high-speed Wi-Fi across airports, seaports, and transit hubs.

Via Vessel Performance Info

🌿 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝘁: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲-𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝘄-𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁
Canadian firm StormFisher Hydrogen is converting a stalled site in Varennes, Québec, into North America’s first large-scale low-carbon methanol plant.

⚗️ 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘂 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗼 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀
Bureau Veritas | Marine & Offshore is partnering with Gelibolu Shipyard, eCap Marine, and Møre Sjø AS to build the world’s first hydrogen-powered general cargo vessels in its class.

🚢 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗩𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀
DeepOcean has chartered the Glomar Supporter, a multipurpose support vessel for near-shore operations in renewables and subsea work.