ZeroNorth is taking artificial intelligence a step further in shipping, launching a platform designed to carry out operational tasks rather than simply provide recommendations.
The maritime technology firm on Tuesday unveiled Propel, with Cargill, Ultrabulk and CMB.TECH signed up as its first partners.
The platform uses agentic AI, meaning its software agents can perform a series of tasks on behalf of operators while working within parameters set by them.
Its first application is voyage optimisation.
Propel can prepare a voyage plan, communicate it to the vessel’s master, process feedback and revise the plan as circumstances change.
The operator remains involved throughout the process but no longer needs to manually handle every stage of the coordination.
ZeroNorth sees this as particularly useful as shipping operations become harder to manage amid changing regulations, geopolitical disruption and volatile bunker prices.
The company argues that automating some of the routine coordination between vessels and shore teams could allow operators to respond more quickly to changing voyage conditions and potentially capture fuel and time savings.
Propel’s voyage optimisation agent has already been used internally by ZeroNorth’s Professional Services team for three months.
The next phase will see Cargill, Ultrabulk and CMB.TECH test the technology under real-world operating conditions.
ZeroNorth plans to progressively expand Propel beyond voyage optimisation, introducing agents covering vessel and marine fuel operations.
Ultimately, the company wants the platform to continuously monitor different areas of an organisation’s shipping operations and take permitted actions when required.
Wider commercial availability is expected later this year.
“Our ambition with Propel is to help change the way shipping works by changing what technology can do inside maritime operations,” Søren Andersen, CEO of ZeroNorth, said.
“There is immense potential to move towards operations that are more connected, continuous and precise, where technology takes on more of the coordination work and people can focus their judgement where it creates the greatest value.”
Cargill Ocean Transportation also sees scope for the technology to improve how shipping operations are managed.
“We’re proud to continue working with our long-standing partners at ZeroNorth to explore technologies that can modernise shipping, improve operational efficiency and help move the industry forward,” said James Lewis, Vice President Global Operations at Cargill Ocean Transportation.
Ultrabulk CFO Oskar Fabricius highlighted the shift from AI providing information to actively carrying out tasks.
“The potential for AI that can take action – not just surface insights – is significant, and as a partner since ZeroNorth’s earliest days, we are glad to be at the front of shaping what that looks like in practice,” he said.
