AI Model Enhances Marine Operational Decision-Making
A new artificial intelligence (AI) model is proving capable of forecasting ocean currents in the Gulf of Mexico using just a laptop. Developed through a collaboration between the Met Office and the University of Exeter, this AI-based tool is reshaping how marine operational decisions are made. Its impact was recently recognised with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) Best Paper Award 2025.
Flexible and Efficient Forecasting
The model builds on the Machine Learning for Low-Cost Offshore Modelling (MaLCOM) framework, which was initially created to predict ocean waves around UK coastal waters. Now, it has been successfully adapted to forecast currents in the Gulf of Mexico. What sets this framework apart is its ability to use hyper-sparse observational data as a foundation for predictions and its capacity to run on standard laptops or desktops.
Additionally, the model’s architecture allows users to examine its temporal and spatial behavior easily. This transparency helps build trust in the forecasts and offers clear directions for future improvements.
Practical Benefits and Applications
This AI-based forecasting approach offers promising results even when data availability is limited. While still undergoing refinement, it has the potential to provide quick and reliable ocean process forecasts. These can support offshore energy operations, marine search and rescue missions, and defence activities, among other applications.
Collaborative Development and Industry Focus
The MaLCOM framework began nearly five years ago as an experimental project led by the University of Exeter, with support from the Met Office. The team worked closely with industry operators to ensure the model meets real-world decision-making needs and integrates with operational workflows.
They achieved comparable performance to traditional physics-based wave models for short-range forecasts up to 12 hours ahead under typical conditions. This success has encouraged further testing across different regions, variables, and use cases.
Ongoing Improvements and Future Outlook
Further upgrades are planned to enhance the MaLCOM framework specifically for ocean current forecasting. This complements ongoing research focused on regional wave predictions.
The collaboration between academic, government, and industry partners exemplifies how such partnerships are essential for creating AI tools that are practical and trusted in weather and marine operations.
Why This Matters for Operations Professionals
- Faster, low-cost forecasting can improve planning and safety for offshore activities.
- Models that run on standard hardware remove the need for expensive computing resources.
- Greater transparency in AI predictions builds confidence in decision-support tools.
- Flexible frameworks like MaLCOM can be adapted to new regions and parameters, expanding their usefulness.
For professionals involved in marine operations, these advances mean better-informed decisions that can reduce risks and improve efficiency.
Learn more about AI tools and training that support operational roles at Complete AI Training.
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