Technology

Starlink

Since the beginning of 2023, Anglo-Eastern has commissioned over 100 Starlink installations across its managed fleet. Starlink adds terabytes of network capacity, with low latency at a highly competitive price. In terms of actual data, ships installed with Starlink have reported onboard speeds of 30 to 40 Mbps on average versus only 0.25 to 2 Mbps in traditional commercial VSAT contracts.

This has changed life on board in a way that we have never experienced in the history of shipping. Seafarers have the opportunity to enjoy the same connectivity as ashore, bringing them closer to friends and family, greatly improving morale and enagement. Equally, the ship has become a seamless extension of the office, where team members are able to collaborate and leverage the expertise of colleagues on shore and on other vessels to support them in ways they have never done before. We are seeing the beginning of a new era for maritime operations.

Computer vision

In early in 2023, Anglo-Eastern began collaboration with ShipIn Systems to implement their FleetVision Platform. The primary aim of the initiative was to evaluate and improve safety onboard. FleetVision stands out due to its distinctive AI capability and ability to apply tailored rulesets. While similar tools exist in today’s market, what sets ShipIn apart is their commitment to fostering transparency between ship and shore.

The focus is not on intrusive surveillance but rather on promoting a systematic and objective retrospective approach to heightening awareness. This approach, in turn, reinforces a culture of commitment, reflecting values that are deeply cherished by Anglo-Eastern. An upcoming Foresights article will delve into our experiences from this journey in the months ahead.

Drone deliveries

We are working with various service providers to adopt drone delivery to ships as a cost-effective alternative to hiring a launch whenever a ship needs to, for example, land a bunker sample, receive a few documents, or collect lightweight spare parts. This form of maritime drone delivery would be considerably effective in certain circumstances, where the costs and logistics of traditional shore-to-ship delivery methods are significant barriers, so we are exploring the possibility of creating a global drone delivery network to transport maritime essentials to vessels.

Augmented reality

RealWear is a brand of hands-free, voice-controlled, assisted reality smart glasses that support real-time audiovisual communication between the crew and external parties – such as the office, trainers, and technical experts. Seafarers can receive remote guidance on tasks or real-time feedback on issues while keeping both hands on the job, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

The smart glasses are fitted with a high-quality camera, microphone and display, and can be mounted onto a hard hat or other headwear, from where they can be activated by simple voice commands to access information or call for assistance, without the need for any physical interface.