If you're reading this, you've likely already dealt with three urgent emails, two system alerts, and at least one vendor promising to 'disrupt' the maritime industry. Take a breather - let’s chat about AI. We’ve also rounded up all of the headlines that actually matter this week, minus the buzzwords and corporate waffle.

This week, I sat down with Ha Eun Ruppelt who provided a refreshing perspective on AI adoption in the maritime industry; emphasising the need for transparency, strong vendor partnerships and realistic expectations regarding both implementation challenges and potential benefits.

With 23 years in commercial shipping, Ha Eun Ruppelt has been at the intersection of chartering, operations and digital transformation. Overseeing 100+ systems, she spent the last 7 years at Ardmore Shipping bridging commercial strategy with AI-driven decision-making, ensuring technology delivers real business impact.

AI has emerged as the transformative technology of our era, permeating every sector of global business. 

Like the rest of the world, many maritime vendors have already incorporated artificial intelligence into their platforms, which is surprising in a sector traditionally known for its measured, even reluctant approach to embracing technological innovation.

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While it may seem as though AI has long been a fixture of modern life, it's worth noting that OpenAI's foundational model (GPT-1) debuted a mere seven years ago back in June 2018.

Companies across the maritime sector rush to adopt AI without clear objectives. Ha Eun noted, "AI isn't a magic fix; it's a tool. The real question is whether organisations truly understand what they need or if they're just applying a 'band-aid' solution, hoping it will somehow make things better".

This widespread approach often leads to wasted investments and disappointing results.

Successful implementation requires companies to examine their specific operational challenges before choosing technology. Those who define clear problems first consistently achieve better outcomes than organisations who simply follow industry trends.

There is an emerging risk with this technology where some maritime operators accept AI-generated data without verification, trusting algorithms as a complete solution with no human input or oversight. " Employees need to see AI as a tool to generate revenue, improve processes, and drive efficiencies, but it should never replace their experience and expertise.”

Unfortunately, this is a pitfall that many organisations fall into, Ha Eun’s team aimed to combat this by empowering their seafarers to work in partnership with AI technology: "We expect our employees to think beyond AI—it's just a tool at the end of the day. We need the Tony Stark behind Iron Man".

Organisations that maintain seafarers as active partners in technological systems gain significant advantages over those that reduce human involvement. Critical thinking and real-life industry experience remain irreplaceable assets in maritime operations. 

Ha Eun also discussed how important it is to choose the right vendor, who aligns with the organisation’s needs, "Any software company can say, 'we have AI and we're going to help you improve processes.' But what specific data are they actually using? What actual needs are they addressing?"

 It is vital to maintain an open dialogue with vendors “You have to truly become a partner with your vendors, which will help you stay ahead and have a say in where the future of that product is going to go." This will ensure your investments in AI remain viable in such a rapidly evolving sector.

Finally, Ha Eun explained that the infancy of AI technology makes it difficult to calculate an accurate ROI ahead of AI implementation. “Historically, investment decisions have been guided by Cost-Benefit Analysis or direct financial ROI, which remains important. However, with AI, this evaluation must also account for long-term value creation; such as improving operational resilience, upskilling talent, and enabling digital transformation”.

Companies expecting precise financial projections often find themselves disappointed, while those taking a broader view of technological advancement tend to achieve more sustainable results. 

It’s important to manage expectations and remain flexible as both AI technology and the understanding of its applications evolve.

Shipping has always been about movement—but today, the challenge is moving forward with purpose rather than simply following the AI crowd.

And there you have it - your weekly dose of maritime tech developments wrapped up and ready to go. I'll be back next Thursday with more industry insights and innovations that matter. Until then, keep your systems running and your inbox manageable! Best regards, Ailsa