AURORA Expeditions has become the first cruise line to integrate AI routing, as part of a collaboration with Australia-based climate technology company CounterCurrent.
The AI-powered navigation system will be integrated aboard the new Douglas Mawson, which will launch in Dec (CW 11 Sep).
CounterCurrent is the brainchild of UNSW Associate Professor Shane Keating (pictured), whose idea was first profiled in CW last year (CW 07 Jun 2024).
The tech captures real-time wind, wave, and ocean current data, which is fed into global climate and weather models, supporting more efficient and lower-emission navigation.
CounterCurrent uses AI, onboard sensors and satellite data to generate hyper-local, vessel-specific route predictions.
The system continuously analyses ocean conditions and ship performance to model the most fuel-efficient routes – effectively helping ships “ride” ocean currents.
This not only reduces emissions and operational costs, but also enhances safety and efficiency in challenging polar environments.
“Planning safe, efficient and lower-emission shipping routes relies on good data and an understanding of ocean currents, but in polar regions, real time data is scarce,” Aurora Sustainability Manager Sasha Buch said.
“Through our collaboration with CounterCurrent and the Polar Citizen Science Collective, we’re helping fill critical data gaps in the Southern Ocean – contributing to a smarter, cleaner future for maritime travel, one where every voyage improves the next.” MS
