Low-cost technology unlocks ship data

The new Onboard Gateway, priced at less than US$600, is designed to capture operational data directly from a vessel’s key systems, including main engines, generators, boilers, flow meters, navigation equipment, cargo consoles and shaft power meters.

The system provides real-time intelligence from ship to shore and can also be equipped with edge analytics capabilities for fuel efficiency, hull performance, engine monitoring and cargo optimisation.

“The industry has spent years discussing digitalisation, AI and standardised reporting, but all of those ambitions depend on one thing: access to trusted data in an industry standard format,” said Joy Basu, chief executive of Smart Ship Hub.

Basu said the technology could save operators thousands of dollars while reducing the administrative burden placed on crews.

“We see this as a significant move towards standardised noon reporting, meaning crew members can save up to 70 per cent in man hours spent on processing reports,” he added.

The launch addresses a long-standing challenge in the shipping industry, where vessel digitalisation has often been hampered by costly hardware, proprietary systems and complex integration projects. Many operators continue to rely on manual noon reports and fragmented reporting processes, limiting access to accurate operational data.

According to Smart Ship Hub, the protocol-agnostic gateway can be used across a wide range of vessel types, regardless of age, machinery manufacturer or onboard configuration, significantly reducing barriers to adoption.

Looking ahead, Smart Ship Hub believes direct machine-sourced data will become increasingly important as shipping embraces automation and artificial intelligence.

“The real intelligence has always been onboard,” said Basu. “By making fleet-grade data accessible to every owner, we are creating the foundation for a new era of safety, security and efficiency in ocean trade.”