The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Net-Zero Framework, expected to come into force in October 2026, will reshape how ship operators manage greenhouse gas emissions. With regulatory and commercial pressures mounting, they are under increasing scrutiny to improve environmental performance. The framework has two core elements: reducing the carbon intensity of fuels and introducing a price on emissions to drive compliance. For cruise lines and ferry operators, this is creating a new opportunity for artificial intelligence-driven fuel optimisation and smarter operational decisions that support sustainability goals.
By combining historical data, vessel modelling and simulation, operators can forecast how changes in operational profiles – such as speed optimisation, fuel mix adjustments or the use of shore power – will impact efficiency and regulatory exposure. This predictive approach moves operators away from reactive decision-making, allowing them to optimise investments, reduce emissions and avoid penalties under frameworks like the IMO Net-Zero rules.
Few areas demonstrate AI’s operational impact more clearly than route planning, where navigation, fuel efficiency, cost management and sustainability objectives intersect.
“Passenger ship operators are increasingly turning to AI to make route planning smarter, safer and more efficient,” says Norman Schmiedl, CEO at COLUMBIA blue, which provides management services to cruise brands around the world. “Modern systems use real-time data, from weather to vessel performance, to recommend optimal routes and proactively adjust itineraries. The differentiator is AI’s ability to learn, adapt and deliver informed decisions by bringing together multiple disparate data sources in real time, transforming how ships are navigated and maintained. The result is safer voyages, reduced disruptions and significant efficiency gains, underpinned by responsible AI deployment practices aligned with internal governance expectations.”
AI can also help passenger ship operators to improve situational awareness and safety. FarSounder, for example, is researching and developing AI-based sonar capabilities to enable onboard teams to monitor key underwater targets, including seafloor features, wake-related bubbles, engine noise interference and in-water objects such as whales, ice, rocks and coral. The research will support future updates such as pilot-assist systems for high-speed passenger vessels, further strengthening navigational safety and environmental protection.
Building on these advances, operators are increasingly using AI-powered digital systems to monitor ship health, strengthen safety processes and maintain compliance. “Operators now rely on digital tools to flag anomalies and maintain compliance with international regulations,” says Schmiedl. “The real shift is the move from ad-hoc checks to continuous, automated governance.”
The Carnival Maritime Fleet Operations Center in Hamburg, Germany, uses NAPA Fleet Intelligence to track marine operations in real time (credit: Carnival Maritime)
Digital safety management systems embed the International Safety Management code, established by the IMO, directly into daily workflows to ensure safety at sea, prevent human injury and avoid environmental damage. AI can review logs, permits and incident reports to flag non-conformities early.
“Risk-based analytics further reshape audits, enabling operators to prioritise inspections and automatically verify records such as oil books and maintenance logs, while compliance platforms map IMO requirements to company procedures for fleet-wide consistency,” says Schmiedl. “Live data from onboard sensors, navigation systems and engine monitoring tracks safety, machinery health, fuel efficiency and environmental performance, helping crews prevent breakdowns, emissions deviations and port state control issues before they occur.”
AI is also being applied directly to bridge operations. “We are using AI-powered voice recognition so officers can issue commands on the bridge faster and more easily,” says Claudia Bosse, maritime and port logistics researcher at the Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services. “The system uses speech recognition software to understand commands accurately, repeat them back for confirmation and carry them out immediately. It also provides real-time information about the ship’s surroundings, including warnings about nearby vessels and critical navigation routes.”
Beyond the bridge, cruise lines leverage AI to turn operational data into actionable insights. Virgin Voyages, for example, uses NAPA Fleet Intelligence to track environmental performance in real time. Onshore teams analyse operational data against sustainable key performance indicators (KPIs) covering carbon, fuel and energy usage, waste management, water management and operational context, such as passenger numbers, nautical miles sailed and port calls. KPIs can be reviewed across daily, quarterly and annual timelines and exported for regulatory reporting or internal decision-making.
AI is reshaping sustainability beyond the engine room too. Carnival Cruise Line’s galley staff are using an AI-powered platform from Orbisk to reduce food waste by 50 per cent by 2030. The solution analyses kitchen trends and provides tailored, data-driven recommendations, helping chefs optimise preparation and align output with real-time demand. As a result, per-person portions are now 17 per cent more accurate, reducing waste while supporting wider environmental targets.
Technology is also enabling a proactive, fleet-level approach to vessel maintenance. Carnival Corporation is installing Evac’s preventative systems across ships operated by eight of its cruise lines, synchronising work across vessels and providing onboard crew training during annual visits to reduce the risk of unplanned outages while supporting decarbonisation goals. “By combining proactive annual maintenance, predefined spare part kits, onboard crew training and fleet-wide health checks, we can help Carnival Corporation enhance reliability, predictability and efficiency across the fleet,” says Kourtney Dever, head of cruise services for North America at Evac Group.
AI complements this approach by identifying exactly when maintenance is needed. “We analyse data from components at different stages of wear, and, considering both performance and cost-effectiveness, AI can recommend when to maintain or replace parts,” says Bosse.
Operators are mindful that AI itself carries an environmental footprint. “AI systems require significant computational power, so operators need to balance ambition with responsibility,” says Schmiedl. “Deploy AI where it creates genuine value while ensuring energy use, carbon impact and digital overhead remain proportionate and well-governed.”
Galley staff are using Orbisk’s AI-powered platform to reduce food waste (credit: iOrbisk)
AI in action
CFR asks four organisations how their AI-enabled products and services are helping shipowners to build and operate their ships more safely and efficiently
Alfred Maritime
Alfred Maritime’s Meyer Energy Management System empowers teams to analyse every leg of an itinerary, focusing on fuel efficiency and emission reduction for passenger vessels. Using AI agents that summarise voyages automatically, the system provides actionable intelligence on shipboard energy dynamics. Thanks to the rapid advancement of AI reasoning over the last 12 months, the crew can now use these agent driven insights to refine operations and mentor younger crew members with data-backed precision.
COLUMBIA cruise services
COLUMBIA cruise services is using AI to unlock new possibilities in luxury cruising, enabling ships to operate more intelligently and empowering crew to provide bespoke service. By analysing guest preferences, such as favourite dining venues and activity patterns, the company can deliver tailored recommendations for a more personalised experience. AI also enhances operational efficiency: computer-vision-enabled CCTV automates anomaly detection, alerting safety teams more quickly, while data insights help reduce food waste and increase supply chain transparency.
FarSounder
FarSounder is actively advancing its AI capabilities for real-world forward looking sonar data. The company is developing an integrated software prototype capable of classifying seafloor features, noise and in-water objects in real time to enhance hazard detection and navigation.
As demand grows for advanced navigation systems, AI-powered technology will support collision avoidance and decision-making in complex maritime environments. Pilot-assist systems for high-speed passenger vessels, in particular, will benefit from improved safety, efficiency and operational intelligence. This initiative not only strengthens the ocean economy but also underscores FarSounder’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.
T. Mariotti
Shipyards are adopting advanced digital tools to optimise work planning, resource management and schedule control, with the goal of minimising vessel downtime and boosting operational efficiency. In this context, Italian shipbuilder T. Mariotti, part of the Genova Industrie Navali Group, has collaborated with MADE, the Industry 4.0 Competence Center, and GEA Digital to develop an AI-driven system that supports cost estimation, cash flow forecasting and production capacity verification. The platform enables predictive analysis and more informed decision-making, enhancing estimate accuracy and reducing the risk of delays in complex projects.
Discover more insights like this in the Spring/Summer 2026 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. Don’t miss out – subscribe for FREE and get the next issue delivered straight to your inbox.