The maritime industry has optimised its vessels but its operations are still in the dark ages, says ShipIn Systems CEO
The maritime industry has achieved notable advances in vessel performance through fuel efficiency technologies, advanced voyage planning, emissions monitoring, and predictive maintenance. Yet, according to Osher Perry, CEO of ShipIn Systems, operational visibility aboard vessels has not kept pace with these technological developments.
“Shipping has mastered vessel data, but much of what actually happens onboard remains a matter of guesswork,” Perry observes. “At a time when regulators are increasingly focused on the human element, the industry lacks clear, real-time insight into daily operations at sea.”
Recent discussions at the IMO’s Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping Sub-Committee (HTW 12) have highlighted the importance of seafarer training and fatigue management. While these initiatives are vital, Perry argues they fall short of addressing risks that remain largely invisible due to limited operational transparency.
Across key shipboard activities, including navigation, engineering, mooring, bunkering, and cargo operations, processes are often recorded manually and reviewed only after incidents occur. This persistent gap between ship and shore limits the ability to proactively manage risk.
“For an industry built on safety and accountability, this lack of visibility should be a concern,” Perry says. “Reducing accidents and better supporting crews requires a clear understanding of the real conditions they face daily.”
Closing this gap represents a major opportunity to improve both safety and operational performance. Ships already generate vast amounts of technical data, but the challenge lies in transforming day-to-day onboard activity into structured, actionable intelligence.
Advances in visual analytics and artificial intelligence are beginning to meet this challenge. Modern systems can convert onboard video streams into time-stamped operational insights, tracking workflows, detecting procedural deviations, and enabling continuous monitoring of shipboard activities.
AI-assisted operations are also emerging as powerful tools for both crew and shore-based teams. By integrating information from cameras, sensors, and operational logs, these systems enhance situational awareness and support faster, more informed decision-making.
“This is not about replacing people,” Perry emphasises. “It’s about empowering them. AI acts as a co-pilot, amplifying human expertise, reducing administrative burdens, and helping teams operate more safely and efficiently.”
Predictive capabilities allow operators to identify potential failures before they escalate, reducing downtime and improving maintenance planning.
Perry notes that implementing operational transparency requires careful governance, transparent data policies, and strong crew engagement.
“When introduced correctly, these technologies strengthen ship-to-shore collaboration and ultimately benefit seafarers as much as operators,” he says.
As shipping continues to evolve under the twin drivers of decarbonisation and digitalisation, Perry believes the next phase of transformation will focus on operational intelligence.
“The next leap forward will not come from machinery alone,” he concludes. “It will come from making operations visible, measurable, and continuously improvable. Understanding what truly happens at sea is the key to building safer, more resilient, and more efficient shipping.”
For more information visit www.shipin.ai
