Digitalise shipping to reduce fuel consumption and environmental impact

KUALA LUMPUR: Artificial intelligence (AI) technology on ships is being implemented to reduce fuel consumption costs and to minimise environmental impact.

This is based on a partnership between Hitachi Europe Ltd and Stena Line, one of the largest shipping companies in Europe. Stena Line, also a ferry operator aims to become the world’s leading cognitive shipping company by 2021.

Under the partnership, a team of Hitachi experts from across its business units will review the existing digital architecture, in close collaboration with Stena Line and also advise the ferry company.

Controlling fuel consumption is vital to Stena Line’s business, since it is a major part of their total cost base. By leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies, Hitachi will be able to identify the key factors causing high fuel consumption and advise how to make operations more efficient.

Hitachi in a statement said Stena Line is at the forefront of the shipping industry’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint whilst increasing efficiency through the integration of smart technology.

Chief executive officer, Hitachi Global Digital Holdings Corp, corporate officer of Hitachi Ltd, Hicham Abdessamad said: “We are engaged with Stena Line on a number of strategic cocreation initiatives and we see this as an important next step in providing digital expertise to help them achieve positive business and societal outcomes.”

Head of digital strategy, Stena Line, Rune Kleiberg said they were pleased to have Hitachi in their cognitive journey to improve fleet operation across ship and shore, providing new capabilities for safer and more sustainable ferry journeys. — Bernama