By
Laura Hyde |
AE Expeditions achieved fuel savings of two to five per cent over a 24-hour operational period while trialling an artificial intelligence (AI) solution developed by ocean technology company CounterCurrent.
The solution combines AI-driven forecasting, ship-mounted sensors and real-time ocean observations to help operators identify more efficient routes through dynamic ocean currents and reduce fuel consumption without necessarily increasing journey times.
During the trial, which was conducted onboard Douglas Mawson in Antarctica between December 2025 and March 2026, CounterCurrent’s AI technology used real-time ocean data to help the vessel navigate more efficiently, optimise fuel consumption and reduce emissions. Sensors operated in temperatures as low as -30C with winds reaching 120 kilometres per hour.
Following the trial, 39 route recommendations were made from more than 5,600 environmental observations collected over 126 days of operation. Preliminary modelling also suggests operators could achieve potential fuel savings of between five and 15 per cent in suitable conditions, depending on vessel type, operating speed and route.
AE Expeditions has since deployed CounterCurrent Mark 3 Triton sensors on its three purpose-built expedition ships: Douglas Mawson, Sylvia Earle and Greg Mortimer. These sensors have been upgraded following the trial onboard Douglas Mawson and now feature improved solar generation for high-latitude environments, eight times greater battery capacity and expanded onboard processing to support more reliable data collection in remote regions, including during periods without sunlight or satellite connectivity.
“At AE Expeditions, we’ve spent more than 35 years exploring some of the world’s most remote environments, and we recognise the responsibility that comes with operating in these extraordinary places,” said Sasha Buch, head of sustainability and passenger experience at AE Expeditions. “Partnerships like CounterCurrent allow us to explore ways to make our operations more efficient, while contributing real-world insights that can help advance technology for the wider maritime industry. By testing these innovations in Antarctica, we’re supporting practical solutions with the potential to deliver environmental benefits.”
Professor Shane Keating, founder of CounterCurrent, said the Antarctic trial provided a valuable opportunity to develop the technology in a demanding marine environment. “Working with AE Expeditions has given us access to an extraordinary real-world testing environment, helping us understand how our technology performs in extreme conditions and how it can support experienced maritime crews. The data and feedback collected aboard Douglas Mawson have directly informed the next generation of our technology, bringing us closer to making ocean navigation smarter, more efficient and ultimately more sustainable.”