AI System Tracks UK's Shipping Emissions in Real Time

A new artificial intelligence system designed to monitor and analyze shipping emissions has been introduced following extensive trials in Plymouth Sound, in the United Kingdom.

Ocean OS has launched EMMA (Environmental Maritime Modelling and Analytics), a platform that combines data from sensors and satellites with AI to create highly detailed visualizations of emissions.

The system is intended to help ports, regulators, and authorities gain a clearer understanding of how emissions spread and their effects on both air and water quality.

Tested Along the UK Coast

Over the past six months, EMMA has been tested in waters off Devon and Cornwall to validate its capabilities.

The initiative is a joint effort involving Ocean OS, B4T Group, the University of Plymouth, and Satellite Applications Catapult. It has also received financial support from the Department for Transport through Innovate UK.

Following successful trials, there are plans to expand the system’s coverage along more of the UK coastline to enhance data collection and insights.

Supporting Cleaner Shipping

The long-term goal is for EMMA to be implemented across the UK’s top 20 ports, supporting efforts to reduce emissions and improve sustainability within the maritime sector.

“We’re bringing all of the pieces of the puzzle together to really understand the full picture of where the air pollution is coming from, where it is moving, where is it having an impact, [and] what can we do about it,” said Laurens Geffert, CTO of Ocean OS.

“The pollution that you’re seeing at your particular sensor - what can you do to intervene, to change it, to improve the local air quality when it is within in your control?

“Or demonstrate that actually it is completely beyond your control. If you can’t do anything about it so that you are not being held accountable in terms of emissions reporting and regulation for things that you haven’t caused,” he added.

Future Applications

The system is designed to support better decision-making when it comes to regulating and reducing emissions.

Initially, the data will be used by government bodies and local authorities, but there is potential for wider commercial applications in the future.

“I think it will give whoever’s using it, and this case the Brits, the ability to see things that other countries or other companies can’t see,” said Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View.

“So if you think of this in military terms, it’s like having night-vision goggles. At night you can see stuff, and if someone else doesn’t have that they can’t see it so it is a huge advantage,” he said.