Data is driving our green revolution

The maritime industry is charting a new course. We have stricter environmental regulations and a relentless pursuit of efficiency and safety. Together they are propelling ship owners towards a technological horizon. 

Navigating this uncharted challenge can be a complex undertaking. Integrating cutting-edge solutions such as electrification, AI and automation demands not just financial commitment, but also a trusted partner with the expertise to bridge the gap between theoretical innovation and practical application over the life cycle of the vessel.

We understand the challenges ship owners face, and we go beyond offering individual products by providing a comprehensive approach that integrates new technologies with existing systems. Our commitment and vision to drive research and development ensures our solutions are not only efficient but also future-proof, capable of adapting and evolving alongside the industry. Whether it’s harnessing the power of batteries for short sea operations or leveraging the latest innovations in AI for intelligent navigation, we’re here to serve as your trusted guide, helping our customers towards a sustainable future. 

For example, batteries are proving themselves as a powerful solution for short sea shipping. Their increasing energy density, lower costs 
and extended lifespans make them a compelling choice. We’re already seeing them in ferries and tugs, and in future I expect to see even larger battery packs, broadening their applications. Electrification’s inherent efficiency offers a clear advantage over traditional fuels, especially when operating on simple routes, closer to shore.

For deep sea vessels, the future trend will be different, as alternative fuels are the main focus. We see a significant increase in vessels delivered with dual-fuel engines that can run on methanol and LNG. On these, we have a strong position with our AutoChief Propulsion Control System and the K-Chief Marine Automation System. We are also starting to see ammonia fuel showing promise in some pilot projects. Synthetic fuels are manufactured by combining CO2 with hydrogen. We believe hydrogen sources will be a combination of electrolysis of hydrogen from solar and wind, and blue hydrogen produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage. Biofuels will also have some impact.

The ongoing industrialisation in the energy sector makes green fuels realistic. However, the cost of fuel will likely increase. This underlines the importance of our solutions in reducing power consumption and improving energy efficiency.

Our key strategy is to continuously improve the hydrodynamic performance and energy efficiency of our propulsion and manoeuvring systems. Electrification simplifies design and reduces maintenance cost, as the number of mechanical components is reduced. In upgrade projects, we consistently demonstrate significant energy savings both during transit and when in dynamic positioning.

Delivering a lifetime of digital support

Firstly, this means increased remote operations. Technology we are developing today will soon allow us to reduce onboard manning. The first areas to experience this will be in smart solutions for situational awareness and collision avoidance systems, to enhance safety and offer operational flexibility. We’ve recently been given approval in principle for chief engineer-to-shore functionalities to be transferred to a shore-based remote operations centre [see page 3], and this will soon be deployed on pilot projects in Norway.

Secondly, it’s about data-driven optimisation. We use the huge amounts of data from various onboard sources to optimise vessel operations. Cloud and vessel-based applications, for instance, can combine mission execution with energy management systems, enabling continuous vessel optimisation and fleet-wide comparisons. We can also integrate vessel data into the broader value chain, such as LNG vessel loading and unloading, streamlining processes for operators.

The third aspect is digital life cycle support. By understanding a vessel’s operational lifespan of, say, 20 to 30 years, we offer global support and upgrades throughout its life cycle. Remote diagnostics and 
preventative maintenance based on real-time vessel 
data are key to this. As AI evolves, I emphasise the need 
for continuous updates to neural networks, highlighting the significance of the digital life cycle for AI-powered products.

People and the planet are our priorities

We strive to simplify solutions for customers, to help build a sustainable future. This will involve reducing vessel complexity through less hardware and establishing secure vessel connectivity. Cybersecurity is paramount and we’re actively pursuing certifications for our relevant products, with a tremendous amount of effort going into giving our customers peace of mind when faced with the risks of cyberattacks.

Our history with AI is extensive, dating back to using “expert systems” in our products. We’ve seen the evolution of neural networks for enhanced situational awareness, which is now being implemented in bridge systems and autonomous projects such as the REACH subsea operation. Other applications will include predictive maintenance and energy optimisation.

Large language models and generative AI draw a lot of attention. This technology will be core in how we develop and maintain our products and how we increase efficiency in internal operations. With safety critical systems, I believe language models, at least short term, will mainly be used to improve the user experience. Natural interaction through language and speech will ease use of advanced systems and thereby also increase safety.

We are committed to navigating the complexities of regulations and emissions control. In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, we emphasise our life cycle partnership approach, ensuring continuous improvement through ongoing upgrades.  

We operate in 34 countries and have equipment on 34,000 vessels. With digital, many of our services will become more cost efficient and higher performing because we are able to log into a vessel, check the status of that vessel and increasingly offer services such as preventative maintenance.

By understanding the status of a vessel, or indeed a whole fleet, I predict that in the future our customers will be able to download software and use new functions by being digitally enabled. And with AI you cannot have a neural network that stays constant for 20 years. It will have to be continuously updated, so this digital life cycle will be part of the future of AI-empowered products.

Collaboration is key in this competitive industry and we position ourselves as a collaborative and engaging partner, fostering a shared journey towards a more competitive and greener future.

We are an industry that contributes to around 3 per cent of global CO2 emissions and we want to be a major player in reducing the effects of global warming, and that provides a lot of purpose. For KONGSBERG, it’s about Protecting People and Planet – it underpins everything we do.

To make it happen will take a lot of new technologies. What is very exciting is that to build and support the products of the future we need to stand on a solid technological foundation, whether it is a new electrical propulsion and manoeuvring system, innovative handling system, efficient energy management system, ship automation, new Dynamic Positioning system or the connected bridge of the future.

The unprecedented pace of development and adoption of electrification, digitisation and AI creates a thrilling environment to work in. I find immense satisfaction in commercialising these new technologies and integrating them into digital life cycle partnerships. This is our commitment to building a sustainable future for the maritime industry.