A brand-new support platform that uses AI-powered chat to assist captains in making operational decisions has been recently launched.
Japan’s Weathernews has introduced SeaNavigator for Master, a marine weather service in which AI supports captains in making operational decisions at sea. Through this operational support platform, Weathernews claims that captains can access the latest wave and wind forecasts, grounding risk information, voyage route simulations, and other critical data directly onboard.
The most significant feature of this service is the AI Agent, which specializes in supporting captains’ operational decision-making at sea.
According to Weathernews, captains can ask questions at any time about the latest weather conditions, wave and wind risks along voyage routes, as well as fuel consumption, speed trends and forecasts based on historical routing service track records.
This interactive dialogue experience allows captains to obtain relevant operational insights as naturally as if they were consulting experts from Weathernews Inc.’s marine weather division.
Weathernews explains that captains can also view the latest high-resolution forecast in real time, including wave, wind and tropical cyclone track forecasts, which are among the most in-demand data sets.
In accordance with Weathernews, the Voyage Route Simulation feature allows captains to instantly search for optimal voyage routes onboard, based on wave height and historical routing track records.
“Whereas conventional communications have been limited to email and satellite phone, this service allows voyage plans to be smoothly reviewed and approved via chat between captains at sea and shore-based operations managers,” the company’s statement reads.
As explained, by sharing timely weather, marine, and operational data essential to decision-making through this onboard system, the service resolves the long-standing issue of information disparity between sea and shore.
Looking ahead, Weathernews plans to further enhance the AI Agent to handle complex consultations that have traditionally required confirmation with experts from the marine weather division.
