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AI moves closer to daily fleet operations
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and IBM Japan have jointly developed an AI powered platform to support decision making in vessel operations, as ship operators face a more complex mix of weather, sea conditions and geopolitical risk.
The platform went live on July 1 and is centred on MOL’s Safety Operation Supporting Center, which monitors MOL affiliated vessels worldwide around the clock.
One screen for scattered information
The system brings together weather data, sea conditions, vessel operation data, navigation status and geopolitical information that had previously been spread across different sources.
For operations teams, the aim is simple: reduce the time spent searching for critical signals and improve the quality of decisions made for ships at sea.
AI assistant supports risk detection
The platform uses generative AI to identify and extract vessel risks in real time, drawing on historical operation records and current vessel data.
It is designed to support monitoring, situation assessment and the prioritisation of operational decisions. MOL said this should help SOSC personnel detect critical incidents earlier and act more proactively.
Captains remain central to decisions
MOL said the system combines AI driven analysis with the experience of captains and operations staff. That distinction matters. The platform is not presented as replacing maritime judgement, but as a tool to make that judgement faster and better informed.
In practice, it works like an operations desk that stops forcing staff to look through several windows at once and instead highlights what needs attention first.
Safety and digital strategy
The project was developed with MOL Information Technology India and IBM Japan, using IBM Garage methodology. MOL said the initiative supports its BLUE ACTION 2035 Phase 2 management plan, particularly the pillars of safety and digital transformation.
MOL plans to expand the platform’s functions and broaden the operational areas it supports.
