HarborLab launches AI-powered DA agent tool

The latest innovation, HL AI, is part of the company’s commitment to integrating artificial intelligence across its platform, helping shipowners and operators drive efficiency and achieve significant cost savings in vessel operations.

Following its successful Series A funding round in 2024, which raised over $16 million, HarborLab continues to develop digital solutions as the shipping industry increasingly seeks advanced automation to optimise operational workflows.

With port-related expenditure for a single vessel on voyage charter amounting to approximately $2 million per year, shipowners operating fleets of over 100 vessels face substantial financial exposure, with DA approvals potentially totalling $200 million annually. Managing this process in-house or relying on third-party oversight presents considerable risks. HarborLab’s solutions, including its latest AI-powered functionality, are designed to provide shipping companies with greater control, real-time financial insights, and automation capabilities, enabling faster and more informed decision-making.

The introduction of HL AI enhances DA verification and approval processes by offering operators greater transparency on port expense calculations. Leveraging algorithmic insights and real-time port tariff data, HL AI provides a detailed breakdown of each charge. Additionally, it can instantly translate tariff documents to mitigate language barriers, ensuring accessibility of official port information in English.

HL AI also facilitates expedited negotiations by generating AI-powered email responses for expense discrepancies. As users interact with the system, the AI Agent continuously refines its capabilities, ensuring sustained accuracy and efficiency across the HarborLab platform.

“Each year, the shipping industry spends over $130 billion on port expenses, yet many companies still contend with an opaque and time-consuming DA management process. With HL AI, we are eliminating inefficiencies and tripling the DA review capacity of industry players, granting them greater financial control,” said Antonis Malaxianakis, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of HarborLab.

He added: “HL AI represents a key step towards fully autonomous DA management, highlighting the transformative role of AI in commercial shipping. At present, a single HarborLab user can oversee more than 1,000 port calls per year, and this advancement will significantly enhance efficiency in DA verification and handling.”

Beyond port cost optimisation, HarborLab is evolving into a comprehensive port call management platform. From precise cost management and instant port insights to standardised event reporting for laytime and demurrage calculations, as well as streamlined payments, claims, and cost validation, the company is positioning itself as a one-stop digital solution for port call management.