ABS, Microsoft and Morgan Stanley assess AI’s impact on shipping – Digital Ship

Photo from ABS.
AI, cloud computing, robotics and digital twins featured in discussions at the ABS North America Regional Committee Meeting in New York. For shipowners and managers, the priority is turning these technologies into practical tools for fleet optimisation, cybersecurity and emissions reduction while maintaining safety and commercial viability.
Artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and autonomous systems are changing how shipowners manage fleets, assess operational risks and plan investments, according to industry leaders speaking at the ABS North America Regional Committee Meeting in New York on 16 October.
John McDonald, ABS Chairman and CEO, told maritime leaders that rapid technological innovation was transforming shipping into a highly connected, data-driven industry. He identified AI, autonomous and smart shipping, alternative fuels, cybersecurity and connected cloud platforms as key forces shaping operations across fleets and ports.
The challenge is to integrate these technologies into existing operations without compromising safety or commercial performance. Digital tools must support practical decisions, from operational optimisation and emissions management to cybersecurity and asset maintenance.
McDonald also identified robotics, nuclear energy, digital twins and AI as technologies ABS is helping develop for maritime applications. These areas could influence how operators monitor vessel performance, manage complex machinery and assess operational scenarios, although their commercial applications will vary by technology and vessel type.
Daryl Willis, Microsoft Corporate Vice President, Energy & Resources Industry, discussed how AI, cloud and data-driven technologies are transforming shipping, particularly in digitalisation, optimisation, cybersecurity and emissions reduction.
These capabilities depend on the effective use of operational data and the ability to integrate digital systems across vessels and shore-based teams. Cybersecurity remains an important consideration as connected systems become more widely used.
The meeting also addressed the financial conditions shaping technology adoption. Ellen Zentner, Morgan Stanley Chief Economic Strategist and Global Head of Thematic and Macro Investing, presented an outlook for shipping and transportation markets, including capital markets and financing trends.
That discussion matters to shipowners weighing investment in digital infrastructure alongside fleet renewal, alternative fuels and other capital-intensive projects. Technology must deliver measurable operational or financial benefits to justify expenditure.
James Sagar, Hanwha Shipping CEO and President of Hanwha Maritime Solutions, said innovation must be “safe, practical, scalable and commercially sustainable”.
His remarks captured the issue facing shipowners. New technology may offer operational gains, but adoption will depend on its reliability, integration with existing systems and ability to deliver results at fleet scale.
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