Hefring Marine, a prominent player in Iceland’s intelligent marine technology sector, has announced a strategic partnership with Marine AI, a leading UK developer of autonomous vessel control systems. This collaboration aims to enhance maritime autonomy by integrating Hefring Marine’s Intelligent Marine Assistance System (IMAS) with Marine AI’s GuardianAI autonomy suite. The partnership promises seamless technological integration.
Hefring Marine’s IMAS will augment the capabilities of GuardianAI by offering real-time insights into sea conditions, optimizing vessel operations, and bolstering safety measures. The integration will ensure that IMAS is fully compatible with GuardianAI’s marine autonomy framework. Additionally, there are plans for IMAS to be offered as an OEM-supported module within the GuardianAI suite.
Karl Birgir Björnsson, CEO of Hefring Marine, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, calling it a significant advancement for autonomous maritime technology. He stated that the integration of IMAS with GuardianAI will lead to more efficient and safer vessel operations while enhancing situational awareness. Hefring Marine’s IMAS utilizes AI technology, sensor data, and edge computing to provide actionable insights that improve vessel efficiency and reduce fuel consumption, ultimately enhancing onboard safety.
Marine AI’s GuardianAI is a cutting-edge autonomous vessel control system capable of IMO Level 4+ autonomy, offering high-level situational awareness, tactical path routing, and dynamic vessel control. Tom Rooney, general manager of Marine AI, emphasized the partnership’s potential to transform how autonomous vessels interact with their environments. He noted that IMAS integrates a “human feel” into autonomous operations, enabling vessels to adapt to real-time conditions effectively.
The collaboration will target various maritime sectors, including rescue operations, law enforcement, defense, offshore support, crew transfer, and leisure activities. By embedding IMAS within GuardianAI, the partnership facilitates enhanced situational awareness and improved vessel survivability across diverse sea conditions. Future initiatives will focus on joint product development and system enhancements to elevate the capabilities of autonomous vessel operations.
The scalable technology will cater to a wide range of vessel types, from small uncrewed vessels to large passenger ships.