Fred. Olsen Express at the international forefront with a pioneering system for detecting objects at sea

Throughout its 50 years of history Fred. Olsen Express has been characterized by being a pioneer in testing and investing in new technology that increases safety in its maritime connections.. Following this line, it now becomes The world’s first shipping company to apply artificial intelligence (AI) for the early detection of surface objects during its voyages. Last summer, the shipping company installed an innovative additional safety system on the trimaran Bajamar Express, based on the early detection of surface objects at short and medium distance, which combines radar signal processing technology and high-definition video processing software with thermal cameras. Thus, using the latest detection technology based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve range.

This new security system is in its final testing phase, Adding to the tools and protocols already in place on boardand as next steps it will be incorporated into the rest of the company’s fleet.

Fred. Olsen Express is developing this project, which places it at the forefront of the world, together with the company Aeromarine, specialized in Technological solutions for the maritime and aeronautical sectorsalready SEA.IAa benchmark in maritime vision and safety systems.

According to the head of the technical department of Fred. Olsen Express, Ivan Fernandez, “thanks to The incorporation of the SEA.AI multi-target thermal camera with Artificial Intelligence improves the technical capabilities of our fleet. Our ships must have two officers looking ahead, but now, with the incorporation of this technology, it is as if we had a third officer permanently watching the bow, since as soon as the system detects any object it alerts us immediately.”

For his part, the national and sales director of SEA.AI, Diogo Arreda, points out that “for SEA.AI is honored to have our technology debut in the high-speed shipping sector with Fred Olsen Express trimarans.. We would like to thank you for your trust and help in developing SEA.AI so that vessels like yours can make the most of its features.”

The installation of the SEA.AI equipment allows for the automatic detection and tracking of floating objects, using a unit mounted on the outside of the ship with two high-resolution daytime cameras and two other thermal cameras, which can also operate at night. In this way, Helps identify floating obstacles such as containers, logs, buoys or drifting vesselsThe effectiveness of the system varies depending on the size of the object and the state of the sea; for example, in the case of small objects the system registers them at a shorter distance.

The tool can also be applied to the detection of marine fauna on the surface, with each sighting being recorded on the Fred. Olsen Vigía platform, recently awarded Sustainable Tourism Practice by the Tenerife Island Council, which informs all the vessels in its fleet in real time.

This early detection project It is part of the shipping company’s commitment to navigation safety, the preservation of the seas and the protection of marine fauna.. A conviction, that of being as respectful as possible with the environment, which for five decades has led it to invest in new technologies that emerge to contribute to their development within the maritime sector, which translates into the achievement of safer navigation.

Multi-lens cameras equipped with the latest technology

Launched in 2018, SEA.AI was inspired by anti-collision technology developed for the automotive industry. It was initially tested in the maritime world on board short-handed sailing yachts competing in round-the-world regattas and, through Fred Olsen Express’ commitment to R&D, A new field opens up for the development of security systems for commercial vessels.

Thanks to its high precision, the SEA.AI camera removes the “digital noise” of the sea to record floating objects in real time. Once detected, the visual and thermal marks of these are compared with those in the SEA.AI database. This process takes advantage of the latest computer vision technology and the most advanced deep learning capabilities, providing the most complete digital interpretation of a ship’s environment. Its result is displayed on a screen located on the bridge. When an object is detected, the system automatically alerts the crew, also indicating, using colors, whether it is in the ship’s path or not.

More information about this project can be found in the following video:

About Fred. Olsen Express

Fred. Olsen Express celebrates 50 years connecting the Canary Islands by sea. The shipping company began its journey in 1974 with the first Gomera Ferry between San Sebastián de La Gomera and Los Cristianos, in Tenerife.Since then, the company has maintained its commitment to the development of maritime transport in the archipelago, through a service offered by state-of-the-art vessels and based on comfort, speed and flexibility.

Fred. Olsen Express at the international forefront with a pioneering system for detecting objects at sea. / Courtesy

True to its vocation of generating wealth among the Canary Islands community, the shipping company has a team of nearly 1,000 people. Currently, Fred. Olsen Express has a fleet of 7 high-speed boats, 3 mini ferries and a ship for the transport of goods, with which it operates six inter-island shipping lines and a coastal route in the south of La Gomera. It also links the archipelago with the peninsula by connecting Gran Canaria and Tenerife with Huelva.

Fred. Olsen Express is the leader in the Canary Islands inter-island market. It makes an average of 22,000 trips a yearand annually transports more than 3.5 million people, more than 63,000 pets, around one million passenger vehicles and around 1,300,000 linear metres of cargo, i.e. around 100,000 freight vehicles. Since its inception, more than 85 million passengers have trusted the company.

In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Canary Islands Sustainable Development Agenda 2030Through its ‘In Harmony with the Sea’ programme, Fred. Olsen Express applies innovation to all its processes to minimise its environmental footprint.

Fred. Olsen Express at the international forefront with a pioneering system for detecting objects at sea. / Courtesy

About SEA.AI

SEA.AI is a pioneer in the field of machine vision for maritime applications. With a team of over 50 professionals based in France, Austria, Portugal and the United States, the company is committed to establishing machine vision as the new safety standard in the maritime sector. Its product range integrates optical and thermal sensors with artificial intelligence, for greater comfort and safety at sea. SEA.AI systems are designed to quickly detect and identify any floating objects in the vicinity of the vessel.providing the crew with real-time information. This technology is available in a wide range of versions tailored to the specific needs of recreational, commercial, fishing, work and rescue vessels.

Sobre Aeromarine

Founded in 1968, Aeromarine specialises in navigation and communications electronics, establishing itself as a leading reference in the maritime industry. With over five decades of experience, the company is dedicated to providing high-quality maritime solutions. Aeromarine operates its own Quality Service Network, available 365 days a year, covering the main ports in Spain and Portugal. The centralised “Hotline Service” ensures an immediate response to customer needs, even outside of office hours, extending support to Spain, Portugal, Morocco and beyond. The company offers a wide range of services, including navigation and communication systems, software and multimedia solutions, and certified technical support and maintenance. Aeromarine’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement has made it a trusted partner for maritime solutions, ensuring safety, reliability and advanced technological integration.