Posidonia 2026: AI is now a key focus for fleet operators

June 5 ------ Posidonia 2026 (1-5 June) has emerged as the most technology-intensive edition to date, with artificial intelligence, energy-efficiency systems, and cloud-native maritime software converging across the halls of the Athens Metropolitan Expo, underscoring the broader digital transformation in global shipping.

According to a survey conducted by Posidonia Exhibitions ahead of the event, more than 40 exhibitors have already integrated AI into their operations in some form, a development that would have been difficult to envision at Posidonia 2024, when most AI applications in maritime were still confined to pilot projects and laboratory testing. From classification societies and software developers to equipment manufacturers and logistics platforms, digital technologies are now permeating virtually every segment of the maritime value chain.

The scale of this shift was reflected in a dedicated technology showcase organized by the UK Department for Business and Trade in collaboration with the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI), which brought together a curated group of British maritime technology firms addressing mounting operational pressures faced by Greek shipowners amid stricter regulation, volatile fuel costs, and accelerating digitalization.

The session highlighted five key technology areas particularly relevant to the Greek shipping sector, including wind-assisted propulsion and energy-saving devices, digital asset management and operational control systems, propeller optimization and systems integration, and vessel security solutions — collectively presented as a “full-stack” approach to enhancing fleet readiness. "Decision clarity is the key challenge for operators. The real question is which technology is right for the specific vessel or fleet and when to adopt it. Operators drown in a sea of data so having confidence in the decisions they are making depends largely on the quality and structure of that data," said Noel Tomlinson, Business Development – Commercial Shipping & Ports at BMT.

Dr. Milad Armin, Executive Director at Enki Marine focused on the benefits AI have brought to marine propulsion technologies. "We have launched Deep Impact, a breakthrough AI solution sitting at the intersection of decarbonization and digitalization. It’s a platform for the digital era designed to help propulsion systems maintain peak performance at all times," Dr. Milad Armin highlighted.

According to Armin, this technology helps shipowners achieve significant annual fuel consumption efficiencies ranging from $200K – $500K depending on vessel type.

If the UK session offered concrete technology solutions, the “Navigating the Future: AI in Global Shipping” panel – held as part of the 5th Trading in US Waters Conference – provided the strategic and regulatory coordinates within which those solutions must operate. Three speakers brought distinct but complementary vantage points: classification, entrepreneurship, and academia.

Joshua Divin, Senior Vice President for Marine Business Development at the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), addressed AI’s implications for classification and safety assurance, the regulatory infrastructure upon which the entire industry depends. "We started looking at the value of data for shipping back in 2017. Now we have many projects driven by AI including our AI center of excellence to help us build a foundation of data that is relevant and useful to operators," Joshua Divin said.

Divin continued, “We are also offering AI consulting services and products such as Plato, a powerful AI tool designed to accelerate maritime compliance. It acts as a digital conversational assistant that helps professionals quickly navigate class rules and regulatory requirements. AI is here to stay and every company needs to think of how they can implement it.”

Representing the AI tech SME community, Maria Kolitsida, Founder and CEO of Signal Fusion, brought the human element of AI adoption to the surface. "Ships are safer than ever but risk has been transferred to the human aspect of operation and this is how AI can help us systematically measure the human element. AI helps turn fragmented insight into a consistent operational signal. AI systems can now help us better understand and predict how crews perform under pressure, in context, and over time – in short, operational behavioral intelligence analytics is now possible for shipping crews," Kolitsida explained.

George Kokosalakis, Executive Director of the Centre of Excellence in Shipping, Logistics & Energy and Associate Professor at the American College of Greece spoke about AI-powered decision support designed to improve carbon footprint of fleets. Kokosalakis highlighted: “The most powerful tool today to help us with decarbonization is AI. We have identified a few gaps inhibiting full implementation of AI systems, the trust gap, the automation paradox (as AI improves operators use manual skills less degrading judgment for the moment that matters most), cybersecurity and organizational readiness, however AI-enabled Decision Support Systems are not a distant aspiration because solutions are commercially available today.”

Furthermore, at Posidonia Today, German company HHX.blue, demonstrated SeaCheck, a digital tool focusing on risk assessment, decision timing and the creation of sustainable financial structures in the era of AI. In addition, Fleetwork, is offering the first fully cloud maritime ERP platform developed entirely in Greece and designed specifically for the needs of modern shipping companies. "Our goal is to help shipping companies achieve greater flexibility, better utilization of operational data, and more efficient day-to-day processes through a modern cloud maritime ERP environment, that is always looking toward the future." said Giannis Sarris, Founder and CEO of Fleetwork.

Source: safety4sea.com