CMA CGM, Bureau Veritas (BV), and the Shanghai Ship Research and Design Institute (SDARI) signed a Joint Development Project agreement at SMM 2026 to design an AI-assisted container vessel concept. The partnership will examine how digital tools and decision-support systems can improve energy efficiency, safety, and operational performance without removing crews from ships.
What the project will examine
The study first identifies onboard functions that could benefit most from technological assistance. The partners will then select a concept for deeper development and assess its technical, safety, regulatory, and commercial feasibility. A Concept of Operations and Basis of Design will follow, defining the roles of crew, assisted systems, and shore-based support.
Safety and human-factor assessments will use a risk-based approach aligned with BV rules. The final concept will be developed into technical specifications, and the partners plan to submit an application for Approval in Principle. High-level estimates for capital and operating costs, plus a development roadmap, are also part of the scope.
Who brings what to the table
CMA CGM supplies operational requirements, use cases, and the shipowner perspective. SDARI contributes expertise in ship design, systems engineering, and smart ship technologies. BV provides the classification, safety, regulatory, and risk-assessment framework. The project is technology-neutral and keeps human oversight central to every assisted function.
"Decision-support technologies have the potential to improve energy efficiency and operational performance, enhance safety and reduce the burden of repetitive tasks on seafarers," said Alex Gregg-Smith, President of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore. Christine Cabau Woehrel, Executive Vice President of the CMA CGM Group in charge of Operations and Assets, said AI could support safer and more efficient shipping, but stressed that crew expertise and participation remain essential as new technologies develop.
Why this matters for operations professionals
This project signals where vessel operations are heading: toward decision-support systems that handle repetitive monitoring and analysis while crews stay in control of critical choices. For operations managers in shipping and logistics, the study's outputs - including cost estimates and a development roadmap - will offer a concrete view of what AI-assisted fleet operations might cost and how they could reshape crew workflows. The focus on AI for Operations in real-world maritime settings aligns with broader efforts to apply machine learning to complex, safety-critical environments, making this a project worth tracking for anyone responsible for fleet performance or operational technology strategy. Professionals looking to build skills in this area can explore an AI Learning Path for Operations Managers to understand how decision-support tools translate from concept to daily practice.
Your membership also unlocks:
