A new project funded by the UK Government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme in the Department for Transport, is set to redefine how commercial vessels are maintained and managed – marking another step forward in the UK’s mission to decarbonise the maritime sector and drive regional innovation. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the main delivery partner for UK SHORE interventions. With development commencing in September 2025, the Enhance Vessel AI project will develop an intelligent software tool that uses artificial intelligence to detect early signs of vessel performance degradation and machinery issues – before they become costly problems.
Led by AST Reygar, the seven-month initiative brings together a multidisciplinary consortium including CrewSmart Ltd, offshore operator Seacat Services, and research and innovation leader ORE Catapult. The project focuses on a pressing challenge across the marine industry: how to harness real-time data and historic maintenance records to support more efficient, lower-emission operations.
As part of the UK SHORE programme, Enhance Vessel AI exemplifies the UK Government’s commitment to being a world leader in maritime decarbonisation. It showcases the strength of UK innovation and highlights the vital role that projects across the country are playing in building a cleaner, more sustainable future for one of the UK’s most carbon-intensive sectors.
Smarter Maintenance Through AI
At the heart of the project is an AI-powered tool that analyses real-time vessel performance data alongside a digital history of defects and maintenance activity. This dual-data approach allows the system to continuously learn from each vessel’s operational and service history, making intelligent predictions about potential faults or efficiency drops. Crucially, it requires minimal setup from the end user and adapts quickly to different vessel types and operating conditions.
This capability builds directly on AST Reygar’s existing BareFLEET system, which captures vessel health and performance data, and CrewSmart’s fleet management and planned maintenance platform. The new tool will integrate these systems to create a live feedback loop between what’s happening on the water, and what’s recorded in the maintenance logbook.
A Practical Tool Built for the Real World
Th Enhance Vessel AI system is being developed and validated using operational data from Seacat Services’ fleet of 18 Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs), which operate in the demanding offshore wind sector. This real-world testing environment ensures the tool is both robust and operator-friendly, designed for deployment across busy commercial fleets with minimal disruption.
ORE Catapult, known for its leadership in applying AI and predictive analytics to offshore energy, will contribute technical oversight and ensure that the solution meets the wider needs of the maritime and renewables industries.
A Step Toward Greener, More Efficient Vessels
By catching early signs of performance issues – whether related to engine health, fuel inefficiencies, or fouling – the software will support more timely, targeted maintenance. Not only can this help reduce emissions and fuel consumption, but it also extends machinery life, cuts down the costs of spares and consumables, and improves vessel availability.
Wider Industry Potential
Though initially focused on small commercial vessels such as CTVs, tugboats, pilot boats etc., the technology is designed to scale across the marine sector. It can be applied to diesel, electric, and hybrid propulsion systems, and even extended to auxiliary systems like HVAC gensets, and winches.
By aligning with the Innovate UK theme of “Maintenance and Inspection within the Maritime Transport Sector”, the project contributes directly to the Smart Shipping ecosystem – where data and AI drive safer, cleaner, and more cost-effective marine operations.
Source: AST Reygar