Seaspan Corporation, a prominent tonnage provider based in Canada, is revolutionizing its fleet of nearly 200 container vessels, transforming them into high-tech workspaces at sea. This advancement has been largely attributed to the integration of Elon Musk’s Starlink, which provides high-speed and affordable internet connectivity.
The company’s Chief Operating Officer, Torsten Pedersen, has shared insights on Seaspan’s journey towards digitalization and the pivotal role of Starlink in this transformation. Initially, the deployment of Musk’s satellite internet service was intended primarily for enhancing crew welfare due to its low cost, despite being unproven in the maritime context.
However, with the validation of Starlink’s performance, it has become a catalyst for broader digital advancements within Seaspan, which currently operates 160 vessels with approximately 40 new deliveries expected within the year.
Pedersen highlights three critical domains for digital upgrades: fleet maintenance, emissions data and reporting, and navigation safety—expanding beyond the initial focus on crew welfare. The scale of Seaspan’s operations enables effective benchmarking across its global fleet even when handling the same types of vessels for multiple clients.
One of the significant challenges Seaspan faces involves adhering to emissions reporting standards and ensuring the timely dissemination of accurate data to the appropriate charterers. The enhanced connectivity has facilitated the perception of ships as floating offices, a concept previously hindered by prohibitive costs and sluggish internet speeds.
Pedersen notes that Starlink has become the primary connectivity source for Seaspan’s digital tools, with supplementary services like Inmarsat and other K-band providers acting as backups in areas where coverage is limited.
Creating an automated system for collecting and reporting emissions data was a monumental endeavor. As the owner and operator, Seaspan bears the responsibility for connectivity and vessel operations. Nevertheless, the charterers demand tailored reports and data sets, underscoring the necessity for advanced digital tools to manage these layers of reporting.
According to Pedersen, meeting the diverse format preferences of various clients is a crucial responsibility, a task virtually unfeasible without an automated digital reporting system. The newfound connectivity has reinvigorated previously unfeasible ideas, enabling the company to explore new digital possibilities.
Seaspan is currently trialing a suite of innovative technologies, including Orca AI for navigation enhancement and Navis Bluetracker for emissions tracking to satisfy both European Union and International Maritime Organization requirements. Additionally, the organization is testing Captain’s Eye, an Israeli tech solution aimed at bolstering onboard safety.
Emphasizing automation and AI, Pedersen asserts the company’s commitment to leveraging technology where feasible, but stresses the importance of establishing a solid business case and foundational policies before full-scale implementation. For instance, while AI solutions like Chat GPT could theoretically be used for contract writing, the risk of sensitive information becoming public is a deterrent.
The most transformative changes are anticipated onboard, with substantial efforts being directed towards autonomous navigation systems and AI-assisted predictive maintenance, which promises significant cost savings.
Pedersen reflects on the maritime industry’s historical challenges with digital transformation, citing high costs, the lack of a clear business case, and the competitive nature of the industry as barriers. He references the failed Tradelens venture, a blockchain initiative by AP Moller-Maersk and IBM, as an example of unsuccessful collaboration. In conclusion, he advocates for a disciplined approach that prioritizes value and begins with internal process refinement before advancing to data-driven solutions.
