Lloyd’s Register has completed an evaluation of an artificial intelligence-based navigation system designed to support maritime operations, focusing on how computer vision technology can enhance situational awareness and assist human decision-makers at sea. The assessment, conducted in collaboration with Orca AI, took place aboard a feeder containership during a five-day voyage through some of the Mediterranean’s busiest shipping lanes.
The trial ran from the port of Gioia Tauro in Italy to Marsaxlokk in Malta, with passage via Bar in Montenegro, covering approximately 828 nautical miles. Throughout the journey, the vessel’s crew worked alongside the Orca AI SeaPod system, a fixed sensor unit mounted on the ship’s bridge that combines day and thermal cameras to provide up to 360-degree visibility.
According to Lloyd’s Register, the evaluation specifically examined the system’s ability to detect close-range and low-signature targets that are not always visible on traditional navigation aids such as radar or Automatic Identification System (AIS). The technology was tested in complex scenarios including congested waters near ports, the Strait of Messina, and the anchorage at Marsaxlokk, as well as during open-water sailing and night operations.
Stephanie McLay, team lead of human factors at Lloyd’s Register, emphasized that the assessment went beyond technical performance to consider how effectively the technology supports the human operator. “From a human factors’ perspective, It’s not just about what the technology can do; it is about how effectively it supports the human operator,” she stated. “These workshops demonstrated how structured feedback and user-centred design can play a critical role in shaping safer and more usable AI-enabled navigation systems.”
Dipali Kuchekar, product manager for marine and offshore at Lloyd’s Register, described the project as a significant step forward in data-driven evaluations of emerging maritime technologies. “This significant project serves as an important reference point for data-driven system evaluations. It reflects our shared commitment to the adoption of novel technologies, at a time when decarbonisation and autonomy are becoming increasingly intertwined,” she said.
Han Beng Koe, a Lloyd’s Register Ship Performance Specialist who served as the onboard assessor during the voyage, provided real-time feedback on the system’s usability and performance. “As the onboard assessor, I observed the demonstrated capabilities of AI-based computer vision within the operational environment. This provides a clear indication of the performance potential and scalable application of emerging technologies in maritime navigation systems,” Koe remarked.
The Orca AI SeaPod functions as a digital watchkeeper, continuously identifying, classifying, and estimating the distance to relevant objects in real time. By integrating visual data with inputs from radar, AIS, and visual watchkeeping, the system aims to reduce the workload on bridge teams while improving response times in challenging visibility conditions.
Lloyd’s Register’s evaluation process included structured workshops and direct observation to assess not only the accuracy of object detection but as well how bridge crews interacted with the system’s interface and alerts. The focus on human-centered design reflects a broader industry shift toward ensuring that automation enhances, rather than complicates, the decision-making process for seafarers.
As maritime operations face increasing pressure to improve safety, efficiency, and environmental performance, technologies like AI-powered computer vision are being explored as tools to support compliance with international regulations while reducing reliance on paper-based procedures and manual lookouts. The integration of such systems could also play a role in future autonomous shipping concepts, though current applications remain focused on augmentation rather than replacement of human crews.
The successful completion of this trial adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the use of AI in maritime navigation, particularly in high-traffic or environmentally sensitive areas where early hazard detection is critical. Lloyd’s Register has indicated that the findings will inform future guidance on the safe and effective use of AI systems in commercial shipping.
For ongoing updates on classification society assessments of maritime technology, stakeholders can refer to Lloyd’s Register’s official publications and technical advisories, which are regularly updated to reflect advances in digital navigation, alternative fuels, and vessel performance monitoring.
As the shipping industry continues to navigate the dual challenges of digital transformation and decarbonisation, collaborations between classification societies, technology providers, and ship operators will remain essential in validating recent tools before widespread deployment.
Readers interested in following developments in maritime AI and navigation technology are encouraged to share their thoughts in the comments section below and to stay tuned for further analysis from World Today Journal’s technology desk.