# Raa Labs — Full Content > Raa Labs builds vessel data infrastructure for fleet-scale maritime operations. We collect, validate, and deliver vessel data from onboard sensors and cloud sources to the teams, systems, and third parties that depend on it. Raa Labs is based in Lysaker, Norway, and is part of the Wilhelmsen Group — a global maritime industrial conglomerate with 160 years in the industry. We work with customers across every major shipping segment. This file contains the full text of all published content on raalabs.com, formatted for AI consumption. It is generated automatically at build time from the Raa Labs content management system. ## Articles ### Customer story: Data-driven decarbonization at Seaspan > Seaspan, the world's largest independent container vessel owner, partnered with Raa Labs to deploy RaaEDGE across their fleet — enabling high-frequency sensor data collection, real-time shore transmission, and customised data delivery to each charterer. The result: a scalable digital foundation built for decarbonization, AI, and next-generation ship management. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/seaspan-data-driven-decarbonization Published: 2026-04-14 Categories: Customer testimonials The Challenge Seaspan Corporation Pte. Ltd., the world's largest independent owner and operator of container vessels serving the world’s largest major liner companies, is approaching the industry-wide challenge of enhancing operational efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint with an innovative, data driven strategy. As part of an ambitious suite of asset development and efficiency improvement initiatives, the company is seeking to transform how they collect, process, and deliver vessel data to both their own operations and their charterer customers. The core challenge: Each charterer has unique data requirements, operating standards, and delivery preferences. Traditional data collection methods do not support the near real-time, high frequency insights needed for vessel performance optimization and decarbonization.  The Solution  Seaspan has partnered with Raa Labs to deploy the RaaEDGE IoT platform across their fleet, creating world-leading digital capability onboard. Key capabilities delivered: High-frequency data collection from ship sensors with real-time shore transmission Flexible data standardization supporting multiple formats and aggregation levels Customized delivery tailored to each charterer's specific operational needs Onboard accessibility enabling crew to access and utilize data directly Enabling advanced fuel and emission performance analytics and forecasts  "For us, data isn't just an add-on, it is part of the value delivery itself. By giving our charterers transparent access to near realtime data, we enable them to operate more efficiently and sustainably." Sebastian Sala, Director, Business Intelligence, Seaspan Corporation Pte. Ltd. The Impact  The collaboration is already generating measurable results across operations, strategy, and sustainability.  Charterers now receive vessel data in their preferred standards and aggregations Real-time insights enable proactive decision-making for fuel and emission optimization Increased value from data positions Seaspan to implement Next Generation Ship Management practices  Operational excellence  Seaspan differentiates itself as a "digital tonnage provider" Single infrastructure supports multiple use cases from maintenance to security Scalable foundation enables future AI and advanced analytics initiatives  Strategic advantage  High-frequency data directly supports ESG and decarbonization goals Near real-time monitoring enables precise fuel consumption optimization Data-driven insights align operational excellence with environmental targets  Sustainability progress  "The key to unlocking digital transformation at scale is reliable, high-frequency data. Together with Seaspan, we've delivered a data foundation that enables endless use cases for Seaspan and their charterers." Ari Marjamaa, CEO, Raa Labs Looking ahead  With RaaEDGE as their digital backbone, Seaspan is positioned to continuously expand their data-driven capabilities. The flexible, scalable infrastructure supports their vision of delivering not just vessels, but vessels ready for the future of sustainable shipping.  "Every charterer has unique requirements. With RaaEDGE we can tailor data deliveries to each partner, while at the same time meeting our own needs as a vessel owner."  Sebastian Sala, Director, Business Intelligence, Seaspan Corporation Pte. Ltd. The result Seaspan now sets the industry standard for what it means to be a data-driven maritime asset provider in an era of rapid decarbonization and digital transformation.  You can download the customer case here. --- ### Building Security into Maritime's Digital Infrastructure > Discover how Raa Labs partners with Wiz to deliver secure vessel-to-cloud connectivity for maritime digitalization. Learn how RaaEDGE's integrated security enables ship owners to collect high-frequency operational data, ensure cybersecurity compliance, and accelerate digital transformation across global fleets—even in remote, low-connectivity environments. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/accelerating-maritime-security Published: 2025-10-20 Categories: Technology, Security The Challenge of Securing Maritime's Digital Future The maritime industry stands at a critical juncture. As vessel owners worldwide seek to reduce emissions, improve operational efficiency, and meet stringent compliance requirements, the need for reliable, high-frequency vessel data has never been greater. Yet the unique challenges of maritime operations – remote locations, limited connectivity, and resource-constrained environments – have traditionally made comprehensive security solutions nearly impossible to implement. At Raa Labs, we recognized early that security couldn't be an afterthought in maritime digitalization. For vessel owners to truly embrace data-driven operations, they need absolute confidence that their operational data is protected both at sea and in the cloud. This understanding shaped our approach to building RaaEDGE and led us to partner with Wiz, a cloud security platform that shares our vision for innovation without compromise. Building Security into Maritime's Digital Infrastructure When we designed RaaEDGE to be the digital hub connecting vessel operations to cloud technologies, we knew that traditional security approaches wouldn't suffice. Ships operate as autonomous entities for extended periods, often with intermittent satellite connectivity and strict resource limitations. Any security solution would need to be lightweight enough to run on edge devices, robust enough to handle disconnections, and sophisticated enough to protect against modern cyber threats. Our partnership with Wiz has enabled us to embed enterprise-grade security directly into RaaEDGE's architecture. By deploying Wiz's runtime sensors on our edge clusters, we've created a security model that works as effectively at sea as it does on land. This means vessel owners can collect and transmit operational data with confidence, knowing that security monitoring continues even when vessels are offline. Delivering Tangible Value to Vessel Owners The integration of Wiz into our platform translates into concrete benefits for our customers: Uninterrupted Operations: Security processes run automatically without impacting vessel performance or requiring manual intervention from crew members. This allows ships to maintain their operational focus while data collection and security monitoring happen seamlessly in the background. Reduced Complexity: Instead of managing multiple security tools or requiring specialized security expertise onboard, vessel owners get comprehensive protection through a single, integrated solution. Our platform team handles the complexity, so our customers don't have to. Proactive Risk Management: Through our CI/CD integration with Wiz, we identify and address potential security issues before updates are deployed to vessels. This shift-left approach means problems are solved before they can impact operations, reducing downtime and maintaining system reliability. Compliance Confidence: With automated security monitoring and comprehensive visibility across edge and cloud environments, vessel owners can demonstrate robust security practices to regulators, insurers, and stakeholders. This is particularly valuable as maritime cybersecurity regulations continue to evolve globally. Scalable Growth: As fleets expand or digitalization efforts accelerate, our security infrastructure scales accordingly. Vessel owners can add new ships or integrate additional data sources without worrying about security becoming a bottleneck. A New Standard for Maritime Security What we've achieved with Wiz goes beyond protecting individual vessels – we're establishing a new benchmark for what's possible in maritime security. By proving that cloud-native security can extend to the edge in even the most challenging environments, we're helping the entire industry move forward with confidence. Glenn Tvetmarken, our Head of Platform Engineering, captures it well: "Security isn't optional for us. To deliver the value our customers need, we have to put security first." This philosophy drives everything we do at Raa Labs, from our product development to our choice of partners. Enabling Sustainable Shipping Through Secure Digitalization The maritime industry's path to sustainability runs through digitalization. High-frequency data enables route optimization, fuel efficiency improvements, and predictive maintenance – all critical for reducing emissions and operational costs. But without robust security, vessel owners might hesitate to fully embrace these technologies. Our work with Wiz removes this barrier. By providing security that's both comprehensive and invisible to daily operations, we're empowering vessel owners to pursue their digitalization and sustainability goals without compromise. This isn't just about protecting data; it's about enabling the transformation of an entire industry. Looking Ahead As we continue to scale RaaEDGE across global fleets, our partnership with Wiz remains central to our mission. Together, we're not just solving today's security challenges – we're building the foundation for tomorrow's smart shipping ecosystem. For vessel owners considering digital transformation, the message is clear: security doesn't have to be a barrier to innovation. With the right approach and the right partners, it becomes an enabler of progress. Learn More Interested in how RaaEDGE can accelerate your fleet's digital transformation? Contact our team to discover how we're making secure, high-frequency vessel data accessible and actionable for maritime leaders worldwide. --- ### Why maritime AI projects fail - and how to fix it > While maritime executives rush to embrace AI, a critical challenge remains overlooked: the quality of data feeding these systems. Without reliable, accurate, and consistent data, AI initiatives are doomed to fail. Before jumping on the AI bandwagon, maritime organizations must focus on building their data foundation. Learn more about the success factors for your AI project. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/ai-in-maritime Published: 2025-02-12 Categories: Strategy, AI Maritime AI adoption is accelerating, but most projects underperform or fail entirely. The root cause is rarely the AI model itself - it is the quality, consistency, and completeness of the vessel data feeding it. This article explains what "AI-ready" vessel data actually means, identifies the most common data quality failures in maritime operations, and provides a practical framework for building a data foundation before investing in AI. The gap between AI ambitions and data readiness in maritime The maritime industry is investing heavily in AI for voyage optimization, predictive maintenance, and emissions reduction. However, a recurring pattern has emerged across the industry: organizations invest in sophisticated AI tools only to discover that their underlying data cannot support them. This is not a theoretical risk. According to Gartner's hype cycle framework, industries that adopt transformative technology without adequate infrastructure typically experience a "trough of disillusionment" or a period where failed implementations erode confidence in the technology itself. In maritime, that infrastructure gap is almost always about data. The core problem is straightforward: AI is applied mathematics. Machine learning models identify patterns in data and use those patterns to make predictions. If the input data contains errors, gaps, or inconsistencies, the model's outputs will reflect those problems, often in ways that are difficult to detect until they cause real operational harm. What "AI-ready" vessel data means in practice For vessel data to support AI applications reliably, it must meet four criteria. Each has specific implications for how data is collected, processed, and stored onboard and onshore. 1.Accuracy: sensor error compounds in AI models Vessel sensors routinely operate with error margins of 3–5% for measurements like fuel flow, shaft power, and exhaust gas temperature. For manual reporting or human decision-making, this level of accuracy is often workable. For AI models, it is not. The reason is error compounding. When a voyage optimization model combines fuel flow data, speed through water, draft readings, wind speed, and current data - each with its own error margin - the cumulative uncertainty can make the model's recommendations unreliable or even counterproductive. A fuel flow sensor with a 5% error margin, combined with a 3% error in speed measurement, can produce voyage optimization recommendations that increase fuel consumption rather than reducing it. Practical implication: sensor calibration programs need to be systematic and docmented, not ad hoc. Every data source feeding an AI model should have a known and accepted error margin. 2.Consistency: data standardization across the fleet One of the most common and least visible data problems in maritime is inconsistency between vessels. Different ships in the same fleet may report the same measurement in different units, at different intervals, using different naming conventions, or from different sensor types. For example, fuel consumption may be reported in metric tons per hour on one vessel, liters per nautical mile on another, and as daily aggregates via noon reports on a third. Engine load may come from the automation system on one vessel and from a separate shaft power meter on another. Without standardization, combining this data for fleet-wide AI analysis produces misleading results. The maritime industry has begun addressing this through standards like ISO 19847 (shipboard data server) and ISO 19848 (standard data for shipboard machinery and equipment), but adoption remains uneven. A practical data strategy must include a data harmonization layer that normalizes naming conventions, units, timestamps, and sampling rates before data reaches any analytics or AI system. 3.Completeness: missing data creates blind spots AI models depend on continuous, complete datasets to identify meaningful patterns. In maritime operations, data gaps are common due to connectivity limitations at sea, sensor malfunctions, system restarts, or simply because certain measurements were never configured for collection. A predictive maintenance model trained on engine performance data that has frequent gaps will either fail to detect degradation patterns or generate excessive false alerts, both of which erode crew trust and operational value. Similarly, a voyage optimization model that loses weather data or AIS position data during critical segments of a voyage cannot be expected to produce reliable recommendations. Data completeness in maritime should be measured as a percentage and tracked as a KPI. Industry benchmarks suggest that AI applications in maritime typically require data completeness above 95% to produce reliable outputs, though the exact threshold depends on the specific use case and model architecture. 4.Timeliness: high-frequency data vs. noon reports Traditionally, vessel performance data was reported once per day through noon reports which are manual summaries compiled by the crew. While noon reports serve important contractual and operational purposes, they are insufficient for AI applications. High-frequency data collection (at intervals of 1–15 seconds for most operational parameters) captures the dynamic reality of vessel operations: speed changes, weather encounters, maneuvering events, load variations, and equipment transients. This granularity is what enables AI models to distinguish between, for example, increased fuel consumption caused by hull fouling versus consumption caused by adverse weather. This distinction will not show up int the noon report averages. The shift from daily reporting to high-frequency data collection requires edge computing infrastructure onboard the vessel, capable of collecting, processing, and transmitting data in near real-time even in bandwidth-constrained environments. Common failure patterns in maritime AI projects Based on industry experience, the most frequent data-related failure patterns in maritime AI initiatives fall into three categories: Voyage optimization producing unreliable recommendations When weather data is incomplete or fuel consumption sensors are poorly calibrated, optimization algorithms may recommend speed or routing adjustments that are suboptimal or counterproductive. The Wallenius Wilhelmsen fleet achieved a verified 7% fuel saving through AI-driven voyage optimization, but this result was only possible because of a multi-year investment in high-frequency, high-quality data collection across the fleet using an onboard IoT platform. Predictive maintenance generating excessive false alerts When historical maintenance records are inconsistent in format or completeness, machine learning models cannot reliably distinguish between normal operational variation and genuine equipment degradation. The result is alert fatigue, meaning crews learn to ignore the system, defeating its purpose. Performance benchmarking producing misleading fleet comparisons When different vessels report data in different formats, at different frequencies, or from different sensor configurations, fleet-wide comparisons become unreliable. Vessels may appear to be underperforming or outperforming due to data artifacts rather than actual operational differences. A practical framework for building your vessel data foundation Before committing to AI initiatives, maritime organizations should invest in their data foundation using the following sequence. Systematically evaluate every data source that will feed your intended AI applications. For each source, document the sensor type, calibration status, known error margin, data format, sampling rate, and completeness over the past 12 months. Identify the largest gaps and the most unreliable sources. Step 1: Audit your data sources and quality Define a single data model for your fleet: naming conventions, units of measurement, timestamp formats, and minimum sampling rates for each data category. Align with ISO 19847 and ISO 19848 where possible. Implement a data harmonization layer - either onboard or in the cloud - that enforces these standards automatically. Step 2: Establish fleet-wide data standards Install onboard IoT infrastructure capable of collecting data from all relevant systems (automation systems, flow meters, shaft power meters, navigation systems, weather instruments, and any additional wireless sensors). Edge computing capability is essential for processing data onboard, managing bandwidth constraints, and ensuring data quality before transmission to shore. Step 3: Deploy edge infrastructure for high-frequency collection Treat data quality as an ongoing operational metric, not a one-time project. Implement automated monitoring that tracks completeness, consistency, and anomaly rates across the fleet. Set thresholds and alerts so that data quality issues are detected and resolved quickly - before they contaminate AI model outputs. Step 4: Implement continuous data quality monitoring Choose a single, well-defined AI use case where you have confidence in the quality of the underlying data. Voyage optimization, energy efficiency monitoring, or a specific predictive maintenance application for critical equipment are common starting points. Demonstrate value in one area before expanding. Step 5: Start with a focused AI use case Key takeaways Maritime AI is not a plug-and-play technology. Its effectiveness depends entirely on the quality of the data it receives. The most common reason maritime AI projects fail is not inadequate algorithms. It is inadequate data. Organizations that invest in a systematic vessel data foundation, meaning accurate sensors, standardized formats, high-frequency collection, and continuous quality monitoring, position themselves to extract real value from AI. Those that skip this step will find themselves in the trough of disillusionment, having spent significant resources on AI tools that cannot deliver on their promise. The sequence matters: data foundation first, AI applications second. Raa Labs provides RaaEDGE, a vessel IoT platform that collects, harmonizes, and validates high-frequency vessel data to create an AI-ready data foundation. To learn more, visit raalabs.com or contact the team. --- ### Choose what is best for your needs > Discover how RaaEDGE, the flexible and scalable IoT platform, empowers vessel owners with data freedom, interoperability, and future-ready digitalization for smarter fleet operations. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/unlock-freedom-and-efficiency-with-raaedge Published: 2024-12-12 Categories: Organisation, Technology Unlock freedom and efficiency with RaaEDGE: The flexible IoT platform for vessel owners In today’s rapidly evolving maritime landscape, flexibility, scalability, and choice are likely paramount for you as a vessel owner or operator. As you are facing increasing complexity, ranging from reaching challenging sustainability goals to improving operational efficiency, selecting the right digital infrastructure can be the difference between being reactive and proactive. To make the right decision, there are a few considerations you have to make. The Problem with Locked-in Solutions The maritime industry often contends with the rigidity of single-purpose solutions—systems that lock users into specific vendors, applications, or hardware, as well as solutions that only serve one purpose. These solutions may solve an immediate problem but limit long-term growth and adaptability on your digitalization journey. With their limited focus, they will often restrict data interoperability, complicate scaling, and constrain owners from integrating better tools or applications in the future. Instead, vessel owners need a platform that provides agility without compromising data integrity. They need a system that adapts to their fleet’s needs while ensuring data ownership and accessibility. Enter RaaEDGE: Built for Freedom and Scalability RaaEDGE, a flexible and scalable vessel IoT platform, empowers maritime businesses to chart their own course in digitalization. RaaEDGE is more than just an IoT platform; it’s a strategic enabler for vessel owners and operators. Designed to be equipment-agnostic, RaaEDGE ensures compatibility across various systems, sensors, and OEM devices. It harmonizes high-frequency vessel data, standardizes it across the fleet, and provides robust data quality assessments. By decoupling the data layer from the application layer, RaaEDGE handles the onboard complexities, allowing businesses to focus on what matters—unlocking actionable insights. Key benefits include: OEM Agnosticism: Avoid vendor lock-in and choose the tools, applications, and analytics platforms that work best for your operations. Scalability: Start small and expand as your digital needs grow, integrating additional systems and data sources seamlessly. Standardization: Ensure that data from diverse vessels and systems is harmonized and comparable, enabling meaningful fleet-wide analysis. Reliability: With asynchronous operation and robust data buffering, RaaEDGE ensures uninterrupted data capture and delivery, even during connectivity challenges. Flexibility That Matches Your Ambitions Whether you’re managing a modern fleet of high-tech vessels or just starting on transitioning into the digital era, RaaEDGE supports diverse use cases. From fuel efficiency optimization to predictive maintenance and environmental compliance, the platform is tailored to delivering the data you need to realize your specific operational goals. Vessel owners using RaaEDGE can easily integrate our reliable, high-quality data feeds with cutting-edge third-party applications, such as voyage optimization software or advanced analytics tools. The data can be delivered to multiple recipients, in any data standard the recipient prefers, while at the same time being stored safely for future usage and retrieval. This flexibility ensures owners retain control over their data and future-proof their investment against evolving technological landscapes. A Pathway to True Digitalization Digitalization isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. It requires a sound data foundation that evolves with your business needs. RaaEDGE’s modular design ensures that vessel owners can build a roadmap for gradual digital transformation without the financial and operational burden of overhauling existing systems. As the maritime industry works towards decarbonization and operational efficiency, the ability to leverage real-time, high-quality data becomes indispensable. RaaEDGE offers the foundation upon which vessel owners can build smarter, more sustainable operations, one system at a time. Conclusion: Freedom to Choose, Power to Perform RaaEDGE exemplifies the power of choice in a world increasingly dominated by restrictive ecosystems. By prioritizing flexibility, scalability, and interoperability, it ensures that you are not bound by the constraints of single-purpose solutions. Investing in RaaEDGE is not just about improving operations today but future-proofing your fleet for the challenges of tomorrow. With the freedom to integrate best-in-class solutions and the confidence of owning and controlling your data, RaaEDGE allows vessel owners to navigate their digital transformation on their own terms. Get in touch if you want to learn more about how RaaEDGE can create value for you. Discover how Raa Labs partners with Wiz to deliver secure vessel-to-cloud connectivity for maritime digitalization. Learn how RaaEDGE's integrated security enables ship owners to collect high-frequency operational data, ensure cybersecurity compliance, and accelerate digital transformation across global fleets—even in remote, low-connectivity environments. While maritime executives rush to embrace AI, a critical challenge remains overlooked: the quality of data feeding these systems. Without reliable, accurate, and consistent data, AI initiatives are doomed to fail. Before jumping on the AI bandwagon, maritime organizations must focus on building their data foundation. Learn more about the success factors for your AI project. Discover the key success factors for vessel digitalization projects in the maritime industry. Learn how a holistic data strategy, empowered crew, the right edge technology, robust IT infrastructure, and domain expertise can drive operational efficiency and long-term growth. Get insights on building a strong digital foundation and maximizing the potential of your fleet with Raa Labs. --- ### The Human Side of Maritime Digitalization > In the maritime industry's rush toward digitalization, we often focus intensely on technology while overlooking the human competencies needed to make digital initiatives successful. Learn more about how successful digital transformation requires a careful orchestration of different roles - from strategic leadership to end users - and what you can do to get it right. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/the-human-side-of-maritime-digitalization Published: 2024-10-24 Categories: Organisation In the maritime industry's rush toward digitalization, we often focus intensely on technology while overlooking a crucial element: the human competencies needed to make digital initiatives successful. Research shows that successful digital transformation in shipping companies depends more on organizational readiness and human factors than on the technology itself. Through our work with shipping companies worldwide, we've observed that successful digital transformation requires a careful orchestration of different roles, each demanding specific skills and understanding. The Five Key Roles in Maritime Digitalization The Initiative Owner This is typically a C-level executive or senior manager, this role carries the responsibility for strategic direction and resource allocation. While deep technical expertise isn't necessary, initiative owners must grasp fundamental technological concepts and their business implications. In the foundational work by Kotter on leading change it is emphasized that successful transformation requires a clear sequence of steps, beginning with establishing a sense of urgency and building a guiding coalition. For maritime leaders, this means articulating why digital transformation can't wait and assembling the right mix of skills and influence across departments and ranks. The influence model for transformation popularized by the consultancy McKinsey, emphasizes that senior leaders need to role-model the change they want to see, making their most critical competencies strategic thinking and change management – understanding how digital initiatives align with business objectives and how to guide their organization through transformation. The Initiative Taker These are the creative forces within shipping companies – individuals who spot opportunities for digital innovation. The most effective initiative takers combine domain knowledge with technological awareness, allowing them to envision how solutions from other industries might apply to maritime challenges. Their key strength lies in connecting the dots between operational needs and technological possibilities. The Purchaser Perhaps the most underestimated role in digital initiatives, purchasers need more than procurement expertise. They require sufficient technical understanding to evaluate solutions beyond price points. The ability to assess scalability, integration capabilities, and long-term maintenance needs is crucial. A misjudged technology purchase based solely on initial cost can create long-term technical debt and integration challenges. While it is difficult to asses the classical “Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)”, these cost elements that will be incurred in the future when expansions and adjustments will be required, is of great importance. This underpins the need for technical understanding to avoid falling into short term traps.  The Specialists As shipping companies mature in their digital journey, they need an expanding roster of technical specialists. These professionals, combining maritime domain knowledge with technical expertise, form the specific requirements of the technology. Whether it's data scientists analyzing vessel performance, cloud architects designing robust infrastructure, or IoT specialists managing sensor networks, these roles require deep, specific technical competencies alongside maritime understanding. The Users Ultimate success depends on the end users – the officers, superintendents, and operational staff who will work with these digital solutions daily. While they don't need to become programmers, users need sufficient digital literacy to embrace new tools and adapt their workflows. More importantly, they need the confidence to engage with digital solutions and the ability to provide feedback for continuous improvement. Building the Right Competencies The challenge for shipping companies isn't just identifying these roles – it's developing the right competencies at each level. And to be sure – one person can fill several roles at the same time, but the more roles are filled by one person, the less likely the digital initiative is to succeed. In our experience, digitalization success follows a clear pattern: strategic understanding from above combined with practical competence from below. Further, Kotter's change management framework reminds us that sustainable transformation requires both short-term wins and sustained effort – a particular challenge in an industry where results from digital initiatives may take time to materialize. Recent research emphasizes that maritime digital transformation faces unique challenges. The industry's distributed workforce (ship/shore divide), strong safety culture, regulatory environment, and traditional mindset all affect how change must be managed. Senior leadership needs enough technical literacy to guide strategic decisions and evaluate opportunities – not Python programming skills, but a solid grasp of concepts like APIs, cloud infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, operational staff benefit from practical digital skills that help them understand and contribute to digital initiatives. The Path Forward Successful maritime digitalization is an equation where technology represents only one variable. The solution must include organizational structure, competency development, and above all, thoughtful change management. Organizations need to anchor new approaches in their culture – making digital ways of working "the way we do things here" rather than a temporary initiative. By recognizing and developing these distinct roles and their required competencies, shipping companies can build the foundation for successful digital transformation. As the maritime industry continues its digital evolution, the companies that thrive will be those that invest not just in technology, but in developing the human capabilities needed to leverage it effectively. Seaspan, the world's largest independent container vessel owner, partnered with Raa Labs to deploy RaaEDGE across their fleet — enabling high-frequency sensor data collection, real-time shore transmission, and customised data delivery to each charterer. The result: a scalable digital foundation built for decarbonization, AI, and next-generation ship management. Discover how Raa Labs partners with Wiz to deliver secure vessel-to-cloud connectivity for maritime digitalization. Learn how RaaEDGE's integrated security enables ship owners to collect high-frequency operational data, ensure cybersecurity compliance, and accelerate digital transformation across global fleets—even in remote, low-connectivity environments. While maritime executives rush to embrace AI, a critical challenge remains overlooked: the quality of data feeding these systems. Without reliable, accurate, and consistent data, AI initiatives are doomed to fail. Before jumping on the AI bandwagon, maritime organizations must focus on building their data foundation. Learn more about the success factors for your AI project. --- ### 5 Reasons Why Your Vessel Digitalization Project Succeeds > Discover the key success factors for vessel digitalization projects in the maritime industry. Learn how a holistic data strategy, empowered crew, the right edge technology, robust IT infrastructure, and domain expertise can drive operational efficiency and long-term growth. Get insights on building a strong digital foundation and maximizing the potential of your fleet with Raa Labs. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/5-reasons-why-your-vessel-digitalization-project-succeeds Published: 2024-09-24 Categories: Strategy, Organisation …And How You Can Build on That Success In the rapidly evolving maritime industry, successful digitalization is no longer just a competitive advantage but a key to ensuring efficient, sustainable operations. Here are five success factors for your vessel digitalization project´s success, as well as how you can build on that momentum to achieve long-term benefits. 1) A Well-Defined and Holistic Data Strategy A unified and holistic data strategy that encompasses the entire lifecycle of data collection, storage, analysis, and application across your fleet sets the foundation for success. Your data strategy should also take into account how your vessel digitialization efforts fit into and enables your overall digital strategy. This approach ensures that your digital initiatives are aligned with and an inherent part of your broader business goals. You are not buying just a part of the building, you are putting in place the foundation for your entire digital ambition. How to build on this success: Keep refining your data strategy by continuously assessing what data is needed to support your use cases - today and tomorrow, while standardizing infrastructure and homogenous data structures across all your vessels. A clear data roadmap, supported by regular reviews and updates, will help maintain alignment with the company’s digital vision and evolving technological needs. It is absolutely critical that your initiative has clear and vocal support from senior management. 2) Focus on Empowering the Crew and Stakeholders Your project thrives because of strong buy-in from your crew and stakeholders. By fostering a data-driven culture and ensuring sufficient onboarding and training, you create an environment where digital tools are adopted enthusiastically and effectively. The data from your vessels will be the raw material your organisation will use to drive improvements, so it is critical that they are empowered and able to use it efficiently and at scale. How to build on this success: Keep your crew engaged through continuous training and clear communication on the value of digital tools. Foster a data-driven culture across all levels of the organization. Regular training and feedback loops will allow crews to refine their skills and contribute valuable insights on further improvements. 3) Selecting the Right Edge Technology Success in your digitalization efforts hinges on choosing the right Edge solution. The solution you want is modular, flexible, scalable, and designed for autonomy. A robust Edge platform enables your data capture to maintain operations even in periods of low connectivity and ensures high data quality. Remember that you are not buying a piece of hardware, you are buying access to a critical data stream that will support tangible value creation in your organisation. This is why the vendor´s ability to efficiently and reliably operate and manage a fleet wide implementation is critical. How to build on this success: Ensure your chosen Edge technology can be properly maintained, is future-proof and adaptable for new integrations, system updates, and evolving future needs. With the right solution in place you can plan today for the needs you will have tomorrow, allowing for your onboard infrastructure to scale and adapt to future challenges. 4) Robust IT and Infrastructure Management Your digitalization project flourishes because of a strong focus on onboard IT capabilities and infrastructure that creates an efficient and well managed IT environment onboard. The speed and efficiency of the implementation of and Edge infrastructure across your vessels, connecting to mulitple systems onbord, is highly dependent on the characteristics and capabilities of your Vessel IT organisation. How to build on this success: Do not think of Vessel IT as merely cost, but continue to invest in IT infrastructure, competence and resources that support your growing digital needs. Work with specialized vendors to optimize uptime, enhance security, and ensure seamless data flows. Regular health checks on systems and infrastructure will keep your digitalization efforts resilient over time. 5) Leveraging Maritime Domain Expertise Success in vessel digitalization also hinges on the expertise of your vendors. Partnering with specialists who understand both the domains of maritime operations and digital technology ensures that your solutions are tailored to the unique challenges of your fleet. How to build on this success: As your digital capabilities expand, continue collaborating with domain experts to refine and develop your digital use cases and process improvements. Leverage their knowledge to explore new innovations and maximize the potential of your digital strategy. Always align your vendor relationships with your broader strategic goals. Having a solid data foundation in place ensures that you can scale innovations and new use cases across your fleet rapidly and efficiently. By focusing on the right strategies and building a strong foundation, your vessel digitalization project can become a powerful driver of operational efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. Success is not just about implementing technology; it’s about fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and adaptability. With a solid data strategy, engaged stakeholders, advanced Edge technology, robust infrastructure, and the right partnerships, your digitalization efforts will not only succeed, but thrive—positioning your organization for long-term growth and leadership in the maritime industry. Get in touch if you want to learn more about how Raa Labs can support you in building the right data foundation across your fleet. --- ### White paper: Future Proofing Your EDGE > Choosing a data collector or EDGE infrastructure for your vessels is hard. There are many key features you need to evaluate in order to ensure the solution you choose is future proof and will scale with your current and future needs. In this white paper, Raa Labs gives you a guide for evaluating an EDGE solution, summing up all the key features you need to look for in a future proof EDGE solution. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/future-proofing-your-edge-key-features-to-look-for-in-an-onboard-platform Published: 2024-06-04 Categories: White paper Key Features to Look for in an Onboard Platform In today's rapidly evolving maritime industry, the path to decarbonization and operational efficiency begins with digitalization. Leveraging operational vessel data through an effective EDGE solution can lead to immediate reductions in emissions and enhanced fleet management. This white paper provides a comprehensive guide for decision-makers in the shipping industry on how to select a future-proof EDGE platform that meets critical operational needs. Below are summarized the key elements to consider when choosing your solution. You can find more details on each point in the white paper. The characteristics of a Future-Proof EDGE Solution: System and Vendor Agnostic Scalability and Flexibility Autonomous Operation Solid Local Buffering Calculation and Rule Engine Local Applications Technology Agnostic Availability and Reliability Remote Management and Update Data Quality Vessel Data as a Service Support and Troubleshooting Security Considerations: The EDGE solution must address strict cybersecurity concerns, including data encryption, secure authentication mechanisms, and regular security updates, to protect against cyber threats. Holistic Approach: A future-proof EDGE solution requires a holistic approach, ensuring flexibility to capture new opportunities and meet evolving needs without overhauling the entire infrastructure. Conclusion By adhering to the guidelines provided in this white paper and selecting a robust, flexible EDGE solution, shipping companies can optimize fleet operations, ensure data integrity, and maintain the flexibility to adapt to future technological advancements and regulatory changes. This proactive approach will support ongoing digital transformation efforts, driving operational efficiency and sustainability in the maritime industry. Please get in touch if you are interested in learning more about how RaaEDGE can help you future proof your vessel digitalisation initiative. You might also be interested in these articles: --- ### White paper: Succeeding with maritime digitalization > Leveraging high frequency data from your vessels is critical for driving operational improvement and sustainability. Doing it right however, is complex and challenging. In the recent white paper from Raa Labs you will get the authorative guide on how to succeed with maritime digitalisation, including how to lead and organise for success, as well as building a resilient technology foundation. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/succeeding-with-maritime-digitalization Published: 2024-04-04 Categories: White paper Succeeding with maritime digitalization is an critical success factor for improving operations and ensuring you can meet future sustainability expectations from your customers and stakeholders, as well as complying with regulatory requirements. The white paper "How to Succeed with Maritime Digitalization: The Executive View" by Raa Labs is an authoritative guide for maritime industry leaders on navigating the digital transformation of maritime operations. It discusses the imperative of digitalization in the industry, spurred by environmental regulations and the drive toward efficiency and sustainability. The paper highlights the need for strong leadership to champion a strategic vision and foster organizational alignment for digital initiatives. Key takeaways include: The urgency of digital transformation in the maritime industry to comply with IMO 2030 and 2050 environmental goals. The pivotal role of top management in leading digitalization efforts, underpinned by a comprehensive vessel data strategy. The significance of a transformation team in translating strategic goals into actionable digitalization projects. An exploration of the technological layers required for digitalization, from sensors and data capture to cloud infrastructure and applications. The construction of a resilient digital foundation, allowing for a scalable, adaptable approach to leveraging digital technologies. The white paper is crafted to arm stakeholders with the knowledge needed to effectively implement digital solutions and establish a robust digital infrastructure, positioning their operations for success in a rapidly evolving maritime landscape. You can download the white paper here. You might also be interested in these articles: --- ### Efficiently Scaling Your IoT Platform Across Your Fleet > Raa Labs' RaaEDGE platform is revolutionizing maritime operations with seamless IoT scalability. This article explores the streamlined process for implementing data-driven solutions across your fleet, ensuring increased efficiency, reduced costs, and minimized emissions. Dive into our step-by-step guide on how to ensure successful scaling of an IOT platform across your fleet. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/fleetwide-scaling-of-iot Published: 2024-02-14 Categories: Operations Accessing high-quality, reliable data from your fleet's sensors and systems is essential for operational improvements, cost savings, and emission reductions. Many organizations begin with pilot projects to test analytics solutions and applications that promise tangible benefits. However, transitioning from a pilot to fleet-wide implementation is a critical challenge that should not be taken lightly. To succeed, it must be met with a robust solution combined with a structured process. At Raa Labs, we are dedicated to facilitating the maritime industry's shift to a data-driven future. Our onboard IoT platform allows vessel owners and operators to seamlessly capture data from any onboard system or source. While our technology is inherently scalable, we've also developed a specialized process to guarantee fast and efficient deployment across large fleets. Our proven project methodology ensures we can implement our solution cost efficiently and remotely, without disruption to your operations. Streamlining Scale with a Standard Process Our RaaEDGE implementation strategy is designed for smooth integration and optimal efficiency in vessel operations. The deployment involves several key phases: Vessel Mapping: We conduct an in-depth analysis to identify onboard systems, networks, and protocols, involving the crew to ensure an accurate assessment of the onboard situation. Alignment with vessel IT: Working closely with Vessel IT departments, we configure network access and settings to facilitate smooth implementation and quick startup. Installation Planning and Configuration: We prepare tailored installation guides and configure the necessary hardware and software, which are then shipped to the vessel. Installation by Crew: Our guides enable crews to perform installations efficiently, with Raa Labs providing remote support and software updates as needed. Continuous Support and Oversight: We engage stakeholders through regular updates, ensuring strategic alignment and project control. Why RaaEDGE Stands Out RaaEDGE offers unmatched flexibility, scalability, and data reliability, integrating effortlessly with existing vessel systems. This standardizes data, laying a strong foundation for digital transformation in the maritime sector. Our platform not only enhances operational efficiency but also opens up new opportunities for sustainable innovation. And most importantly, from a fleet scaling perspective, it has been designed in a way that allows for efficient scaling irrespective of the vessel characteristics or segment. The critical success factor is people A successful fleet digitalization project of course depends on the technology you roll out. But to ensure you get the benefits you expect from your fleet digitalization initiative, you depend on a competent and experienced partner in your digitalization project. With our extensive experience and a track record of successful remote installations, Raa Labs ensures your transition from pilot to scale is smooth and reliable. Get in touch to learn more about how our IoT platform and our experts and experience can help you succeed with your fleet digitalization project. For more information on our approach and the advantages of RaaEDGE, visit Raa Labs.  You might also be interested in these articles: --- ### Unlocking Shipping digitalisation by thinking in layers > Ships have transformed into data-rich environments, but this valuable data often remains untapped due to the fragmented and complex architecture of most vessels. In a recent Digital Ship Webinar held on October 12th, 2023, Raa Labs shared how our vision of a layered technology stack can contribute to solving these issues by providing shipowners unprecedented flexibility and optionality. This article dives deeper into what we mean by a layered approach and what the advantages are. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/thinking-in-layers Published: 2023-10-26 Categories: Technology Data rich, information poor Ships have transformed into data-rich environments, but this valuable data often remains untapped due to the fragmented and complex architecture of most vessels. In a recent Digital Ship Webinar held on October 12th, 2023, Raa Labs shared how our vision of a layered technology stack can contribute to solving these issues by providing shipowners unprecedented flexibility and optionality. This article dives deeper into what we mean by a layered approach and what the advantages are. The Challenge of Data Fragmentation Vessels today generate an abundance of data, but much of this data still exists in isolation - untapped and unused. While some system providers have started sharing data in the cloud, these offerings are often limited in scope, addressing specific systems or isolated issues. This approach creates data silos, leading to compatibility issues and a lack of standardization. The data provided may also suffer from quality issues, with limited possibility to mitigate or manage the quality issues beyond omitting the affected data from your analyses. Shipowners who adopt a single-system approach typically find themselves locked into a specific vendor's ecosystem, driving cost and limiting their digital expansion. The Value of a Layered Technology Stack The RaaEDGE platform, developed by Raa Labs, introduces a layered approach to technology that offers shipowners a wealth of advantages. This approach is based on three key layers that forms the basis of the preferred technology stack for vessel digitalisation: Onboard Layer: At the base of this approach is the onboard layer. Here, data is captured, standardized, and made available for immediate use. This layer acts as the foundation for the entire digitalization process, ensuring that data is collected, harmonized, and ready for action - already onboard the vessel. Data Storage/Cloud Layer: Above the onboard layer lies the data storage and cloud layer. This layer serves as the central repository for data that has been transmitted from the vessel to the cloud, making it accessible across the organization or even to external stakeholders. It also paves the way for securely and efficiently leveraging a swathe of cloud-based applications and analytics. Application and Analytics Layer: At the pinnacle of this approach is the application and analytics layer. This is where data is harnessed for various purposes, including predictive maintenance, fuel performance, and regulatory compliance. With a standardized data feed from the lower layers, shipowners have the freedom to select specialized applications and analytics tools tailored to their specific needs. Flexibility and Optionality By adopting this layered approach, shipowners gain invaluable flexibility and optionality. They are no longer confined to a single vendor or system; instead, they can cherry-pick the best solutions for each layer. This freedom to choose specialized partners for data capture, storage, and analytics empowers shipowners to optimize their digitalization journey. Consider, for example, a shipowner who depends on specific analytic output, like a voyage optimisation recommendation provided by a company like DeepSea, or a sensor based, real time ship performance model provided by Toqua. The specialized expertise that these companies offer is highly valuable, but depends on the lower layers of data capture and standardization provided by RaaEDGE. Conversely, RaaEDGE's focus on data standardization perfectly complements the specialized skill sets of these application and analytics specialists - or any other you might want to work with. This synergy allows all parties to excel in their respective areas and creates a seamless interoperability, far beyond what any individual company would be capable of. The Future of Digitalization in Shipping Looking ahead, this layered approach represents the future of digitalization in shipping. Shipowners will require data from all parts of their vessels for multiple purposes, whether for operational optimization, regulatory compliance, or customer engagement. A single-system or single-application approach will no longer suffice. With the ayered strategy, shipowners can confidently select the best partners for each segment, ensuring that they harness the full potential of their operational data. This approach offers a pathway to navigate the complexities of digitalization and empowers shipowners to embrace a more efficient and sustainable future for their vessels. In conclusion, the maritime industry stands at the brink of a digital revolution, and the layered approach to technology, exemplified by RaaEDGE, is the key to unlocking the potential of data-rich vessels. By thinking in layers, shipowners can maximize their flexibility and optionality, ultimately driving their journey towards more efficient, eco-friendly, and innovative maritime operations. Get in touch to learn more about how RaaEDGE can help you move you forward in leveraging vessel data. You might also be interested in these articles: --- ### White Paper: Crafting a Successful Vessel Data Strategy > The maritime industry is navigating a sea of opportunities in the digital age. To succeed, shipping companies need to embrace data-driven decision-making based on a comprehensive vessel data strategy. In the recently published Raa Lab´s white paper "Crafting a Successful Vessel Data Strategy", the key success factors or succeeding with your vessel digitalisation journey are outlined. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/white-paper-crafting-a-successful-vessel-data-strategy Published: 2023-10-01 Categories: White paper The maritime industry is navigating a sea of opportunities in the digital age. To succeed, shipping companies need to embrace data-driven decision-making based on a comprehensive vessel data strategy. In the recently published Raa Lab´s white paper "Crafting a Successful Vessel Data Strategy", the key success factors or succeeding with your vessel digitalisation journey are outlined. The paper is primarily aimed at decision-makers, managers, and technology professionals in the shipping industry, but anyone with an interest in technology and the maritime space will find useful insights in the document. . The paper touches six key areas : I. Introduction: The Digital Transformation Imperative In a data-driven world, shipping companies must adapt to stay competitive. A holistic approach to vessel data management, supported by a state-of-the-art vessel IoT platform, is essential. II. The Value of an IoT Edge Platform for Vessels Traditional data loggers fall short in providing standardized, high-quality data. A modern IoT Edge platform, however, offer several advantages: Standardization: IoT platforms unify data from various sources for compatibility and analysis. Scalability and Flexibility: IoT platforms can accommodate growth and new technologies seamlessly. Local Data Processing: Real-time data supports better onboard decision-making. Remote Management: IoT platforms can be managed remotely, ensuring continuous updates and support. III. A Roadmap to a Holistic Data Strategy To transition to a holistic data strategy, shipping companies should consider data layers, coherent strategies, state-of-the-art IoT platforms, cloud storage, and application layers for maximum value. IV. Key Principles for a Successful Vessel Data Strategy A set of principles outlines the foundation for a successful data strategy, covering data quality, standardization, flexibility, asynchronous operation, advanced edge capabilities, scalability, infrastructure management, domain expertise, security, cloud storage, and a data-driven culture. V. The Advantages of Working with Best-of-Breed Vendors Collaborating with specialized vendors for IoT platforms, cloud storage, and applications offers multiple advantages, including data standardization, quality, domain expertise, scalability, efficiency, security, and a high return on investment. Outsourcing can foster innovation and collaboration. VI. Conclusion: Navigating the Digital Transformation Journey A holistic data approach, IoT platforms, and sound technology investments empower shipping companies to optimize operations, enhance crew performance, foster innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry. Don´t take our word for it, read it for yourself In summary, crafting a successful vessel data strategy is crucial for shipping companies to thrive in the digital era. By adopting IoT platforms, embracing best practices, and collaborating with specialized vendors, these companies can chart a course toward data-driven success and remain at the forefront of the maritime industry. You can download the white paper here. --- ### How Wallenius Wilhelmsen uses vessel data > Learn from this Nor-Shipping 2023 seminar how Wallenius Wilhelmsen is leveraging their data foundation to get real financial, operational and environmental value from vessel data. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/value-of-vessel-data Published: 2023-07-04 Categories: Customer testimonials, Event Getting value from vessel data with the right data foundation On June 7th, 2023, Raa Labs organized a seminar together with Wallenius Wilhelmsen exploring the value of vessel data. The seminar touched upon how a leading global player like Wallenius Wilhelmsen is utilizing high-quality, reliable vessel data delivered by Raa Labs to reduce operational costs and emissions, while simultaneously providing a platform for innovation and continuous improvement of their vessel operation. Participants in the seminar were: Torbjørn Wist, Chief Financial Officer, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Anette Rønnov, Chief Sustanability Officer, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Gro Rognstad, Chief Information Officer, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Geir Fagerheim, SVP, Head of Marine Operations, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ari Marjamaa, CEO, Raa Labs Namrata Nadkarni, moderator --- ### Nor-Shipping 2023: The Value of Connections > Raa Labs is a leading provider of vessel data and we are in the business of digital connections. The Raa Labs 2023 Nor-Shipping Social Event, however, is all about connecting with customers, partners and friends in a unique venue literally on the water. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/nor-shipping-2023-the-value-of-connections Published: 2023-05-07 Categories: Event Raa Labs is a leading provider of vessel data and we are in the business of digital connections. The Raa Labs 2023 Nor-Shipping Social Event, however, is all about connecting with customers, partners and friends in a unique venue literally on the water. We therefore have the pleasure of inviting you to this very special event on Tuesday June 6th 2023. Join us at the waterside to meet friends from the maritime industry, enjoy good drinks, the Norwegian summer and our very special live band. The event is invite only, so make sure to register here to ask for an invitation. We look forward to seeing you! --- ### Nor-Shipping 2023: The Value of Vessel Data > Join us for this Nor-Shipping seminar to get a front row seat to the learnings Wallenius Wilhelmsen made on its #digitalisation journey, what was required to become a #leader in vessel digitalisation and what opportunities it now creates. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/nor-shipping-2023-the-value-of-vessel-data Published: 2023-05-07 Categories: Event Your success in digitalizing your fleet depends on getting the data foundation right. Join us for this Nor-Shipping seminar to get a front row seat to the learnings Wallenius Wilhelmsen made on its #digitalisation journey, what was required to become a #leader in vessel digitalisation and what opportunities it now creates. Vessel data is a critical part in the journey towards #zeroemissions shipping. Over the last 5 years Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the world´s largest RoRo operator, has taken a leading position in utilising vessel data to create real value. Sign up to the seminar to learn how you can get value from your vessel data. See you there! --- ### Real time battery data > Battery packs help modern offshore vessels reduce emissions. Following a collaboration project between Solstad Offshore, Corvus Energy, VPS, Vard and Raa Labs, the usage of batteries can now be optimized according to actual operations, reducing emissions, and improving the return on investment. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/powering-the-use-of-batteries Published: 2022-11-21 Categories: Customer testimonials Battery packs help modern offshore vessels reduce emissions. Following a collaboration project between Solstad Offshore, Corvus Energy, VPS, Vard and Raa Labs, the usage of batteries can now be optimized according to actual operations, reducing emissions, and improving the return on investment. Offshore vessels in the North Sea are often equipped with battery packs to allow for improved fuel efficiency during operations. Large investments in batteries onboard vessels are made both to meet requirements from charterers, as well as allowing operators to meet their performance improvement targets. But how to best use the batteries in everyday operations has not been standardized, due to the lack of data bridging the batteries and the operational systems. Solstad Offshore is now able to monitor in real time the optimal usage of the Corvus Energy battery packs onboard their vessels, thanks to a groundbreaking collaborative effort between Solstad Offshore, Corvus Energy, VPS, Vard and Raa Labs. Technology company Raa Labs provides data from both battery packs and core operational systems onboard Solstad vessels, sharing all the data in real time both onboard as well as in the cloud. The data is made available through the application Maress from VPS, where all stakeholders can see the data and optimize the usage of the battery packs. Sustainability Advisor in Solstad Offshore, Svein Erik Isaksen explains: “We wanted to ensure that the investments made in state-of-the-art batteries from Corvus Energy, were used in the right way and as much as possible. This would allow us to minimize emissions today, but also to plan for future investments, making sure that we have the right size battery packs installed onboard our vessels. If larger battery packs meant we could use batteries more in our vessel operations, that would be a win-win for us and the environment. The collaboration between Corvus, VPS and Raa Labs has been an enabler for us, giving us an operational insight we have not had before. We already see that we can use this to make our operations even more energy efficient than it is today.” Henning Dahl, Chief Business Development Officer at battery manufacturer Corvus Energy elaborates: “We want to deliver the best possible solutions to our customers. We also want to make sure our batteries are used as much as possible to help reduce our customers´ emissions. The insight provided by the Raa Labs data in the VPS application Maress is a great way to give our customers the understanding they need to make the best possible operational decisions, leveraging their battery packs optimally. That make sense for the owners, for us as a supplier, as well as for the environment.” “The Maress application for data-driven emissions reduction has become the de facto standard for operating your offshore vessels. By integrating the battery data delivered by Raa Labs into Maress, we can provide offshore operators with an overview of their operations that has not been previously available. This takes the operations of offshore vessels to the next level, allowing for complete control of your operational data including battery usage.” adds VP of Decarbonisation at VPS, Simen Sanna. “Raa Labs is a provider of vessel data. Integrating data from batteries and operational systems like the automation systems onboard as we did for Solstad Offshore, is a great way to prove the value of real time sensor data from vessels. With RaaEDGE, our onboard IOT platform, it is easy to access vessel data that has been unavailable until now and making vessel data available for real value creation in an application like Maress. A great example of how the power of data can power the usage of batteries onboard vessels”, says Raa Labs CEO, Ari Marjamaa. To learn more about how you can leverage the power of your batteries better, get in touch with the Raa Labs team. --- ### High ROI from investment in data > “I have not seen any company that has come further in digitalizing ships’ operational data and delivering it to the actual decision-makers”.The statement is not made by us even if it about Raa Labs. It was made by Lasse Kristoffersen, the CEO of Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the world´s leading RoRo carrier, in a recent Tradewinds article. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/investment-in-data-is-high-roi Published: 2022-11-03 Categories: Customer testimonials The statement is not made by us even if it about Raa Labs. It was made by Lasse Kristoffersen, the CEO of Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the world´s leading RoRo carrier, in a recent Tradewinds article. In the article, Kristoffersen highlights the importance vessel data has for Wallenius Wilhelmsen´s efforts to reduce cost and emissions. He also emphasizes how using RaaEDGE as the digital foundation across the company´s fleet has given them the scalable platform they need to realise significant savings and improvements.  Wallenius Wilhelmsen has long been a believer in vessel data. They were an early adopter of connecting vessels, using RaaEDGE to get an advanced vessel IOT platform onboard. But despite the recent successes, the initial use cases and their pay off was somewhat unclear in the beginning.  “In 2018, this was unknown territory,” Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s SVP of Marine Operations, Geir Fagerheim explains, "but our management has been patient and willing to spend a lot of money on building up an infrastructure without knowing exactly how it would be used in the end.” Now, a few years later, it has become evident that this not only pays off, it offers very attractive returns for the company. A press release from Wallenius Wilhelmsen earlier this fall highlighted an estimated 7% fuel savings from utilizing a performance solution from DeepSea.AI, based on vessel data provided through RaaEDGE. Reducing 7% of the fuel consumption represents a staggering 52 USDM annually, making the business case for vessel data highly attractive.  But it doesn’t stop here. Forward-leaning companies like Wallenius Wilhelmsen are leading the way, continuously thinking ahead and testing out new ways of leveraging their vessel data to improve the way their fleet is managed and operated. With RaaEDGE they have complete freedom and control over their data and can use it for many different purposes and use cases. At the same time, they can remain assured that both the quality and the reliability of the data stream is there. Seeing how our RaaEDGE vessel IOT platform can have immense impact puts things into perspective, and the journey has only begun. Get in touch to learn more about how RaaEDGE can help you realize your potential. You might also be interested in these articles: --- ### The maritime internet of things > To support your needs to leverage your vessel data better, you need a modern IOT solution that allows you the flexibility to connect to anything, transferring data in real time to wherever you want it. This is why RaaEDGE comes with a built in wireless LoraWAN network, enabling the wireless vessel. Using our built in network capability, you can retrofit any system with wireless sensors, measuring anything from temperatures or gases to vibrations. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/the-maritime-internet-of-things Published: 2022-09-27 Categories: Technology Using your vessel data better is crucial to reduce your emissions, lowering fuel consumption or doing predictive maintenance. The maritime industry is going through a data revolution, both in how it is used and how it is shared. There is an increasing number of stakeholders who will want to have access to your data going forward. But it is not always easy to get access to the big data your vessels generate. Modern ships are complex and fragmented environments, with many different systems and sensors that are not always set up to share data. Connecting the various systems to the onboard network can be challenging, cabling is expensive and often difficult. Also, there are systems, for instance simpler rotating machinery, that does not have sensors at all, being completely analogue. It is tempting to use wireless technologies to overcome these challenges, but the existing options are limited. Wifi or mesh networks are useful within confined areas, but requires a lot of hardware to cover an entire ship. Getting good, strong signals without interference is challenging and requires a lot of follow up. This makes it hard to scale across an entire vessel, and even harder to scale to the entire fleet. Up until today, maritime internet-of-things (IOT) has been hard to realize using wireless networks. But there are vessel IOT alternatives that work well in the challenging environments that ships represent. The LoraWAN protocol is built on an open standard and offers multiple benefits. LoraWAN offers long range coverage, with up to 15 kilometers range in open areas. It has significant advantages in indoor environments and long battery life of sensors. With end-to-end encryption it also offers high security. The LoraWAN protocol is based on an open standard, ensuring you will not be dependent on a proprietary solution. This give you flexibility and reliability, future proofing your IOT solution. To support your needs to leverage your vessel data better, you need a modern IOT solution To support your needs to leverage your vessel data better, you need a modern IOT solution that allows you the flexibility to connect to anything, transferring data in real time to wherever you want it. This is why RaaEDGE comes with a built in wireless LoraWAN network, enabling the wireless vessel. This allows us to retrofit sensors to any piece of equipment onboard. The RaaEDGE LoraWAN network can be established with a handful of gateways covering the entire vessel. There exists a wide range of available sensors allowing you to measure pretty much anything you want onboard your vessel. Thinking holistically is paramount when developing your vessel IOT strategy. Your data needs and required capbilities are likely to evolve over time, but connecting to onboard vessel systems and complementing with wireless sensor data are key building blocks for your vessel IOT initiative. RaaEDGE supports you with your maritime IOT needs, allowing you to connect to any onboard system or adding wireless sensors where needed. Get in touch if you want to learn more about how we can support your marine internet of things strategy. --- ### 7% saving with high frequency data > In a recent Tradewinds article, Wallenius Wilhelmsen told about how they have achieved a proven fuel saving of 7% from using high frequency operational vessel data. The article emphasized how the savings achievement rests on the foundation of our RaaEDGE vessel IOT platform, allowing Wallenius Wilhelmsen to use high quality, reliable data for sophisticated AI-driven voyage optimisation. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/7-percent-savings-with-high-frequency-data Published: 2022-09-08 Categories: Customer testimonials In a recent Tradewinds article, Wallenius Wilhelmsen told about how they have achieved a proven fuel saving of 7% from using high frequency operational vessel data. The article emphasized how the savings achievement rests on the foundation of our RaaEDGE vessel IOT platform, allowing Wallenius Wilhelmsen to use high quality, reliable data for sophisticated AI-driven voyage optimisation. Raa Labs has worked together with Wallenius Wilhelmsen since 2019, rolling out our RaaEDGE infrastructure across their fleet. This has created a world-leading digital capability onboard the vessels, a foundation that Wallenius Wilhelmsen is now benefiting from with the recent joint project with Deepsea.ai as a tangible example of what the RaaEDGE foundation enables. “Before the Raa Labs digital infrastructure project, the problem was the lack of an integrated system to manage uniform data, as well as the lack of software powerful enough to get the maximum benefit out of it. Collection and reporting were still manual.” - Geir Fagerheim, SVP Marine Operations, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Vessel data is the foundation, driving actions At Raa Labs, we are working with many different vessel owners and operators, across various segments, providing data to be used for a wide variety of purposes, from fuel savings and emission reductions to digitalisation of processes. Having access to reliable quality data gives the freedom to choose among all the third party application providers and specialists that can be used to realize value. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to learn how we can support you with getting access to your vessel data and guide you on the journey towards decarbonization, fuel savings and increased efficiency. Sources: Tradewinds: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/technology/wallenius-wilhelmsen-claims-a-shipping-first-in-ai/2-1-1291873 Wallenius Wilhelmsen: https://www.walleniuswilhelmsen.com/news/we-take-a-significant-step-towards-reducing-emissions-from-our-vessels Deepsea.ai: https://www.deepsea.ai/wallenius-webinar/ --- ### Increase safety with digital processes > Digitalizing crew processes with advanced checklists and enhance these checlists with real time sensor data opens a new range of possibilities for vessel owners and operators. This both reduces risk and improve the safety onboard their vessels. The digital audit trail and stricter adherence to guidelines surface as additional value drivers – making this an attractive use case for many vessel owners and operators. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/safety-amp-risk-digitally-improved-processes Published: 2022-08-14 Categories: Operations Digitalizing crew processes with advanced checklists makes it easier for crew to comply to regulations and policies. Further, enhancing checklists with real time sensor data opens up a whole new range of possibilities for vessel owners and operators. This allows for checklists to be automatically activated based on sensor input, reducing both risk and increasing safety onboard vessels. The digital audit trail and stricter adherence to guidelines makes digital checklists an attractive use case for many ship owners and operators. Most ships operate with traditionally paper based checklists. Many of the procedures crew have to follow are cumbersome and unwieldy. Information is often recorded multiple times for different purposes, making it inefficient for crew and increases the risk of focusing on the wrong thing. There is a better way. Combine digital checklists and sensor data Imagine if you could use digital records as input for your reports. Imagine if the required inputs would be automatically reported based on existing sensor data information. Imagine if the right checklists would be triggered based on real live events. Imagine if the crew would be automatically prompted to take action on just the right checklist needed at any given time, entering only the data needed for this specific event. Combining digital checklists and high frequency sensor data makes it possible for the crew to spend their time following the right procedures needed there and then. Only the necessary input from crew will be requested. This reduces risk and makes it easier for the crew, while providing more precise and valuable data for the vessel owners and operators. What’s not to like?  When running a checklist application locally onboard the vessel on the RaaEDGE platform you can trust that everything works as expected, even when vessels are without connectivity. When connectivity is restored, data will be automatically transferred to the cloud again. Sensor data and crew input would be easily available, allowing for better insight and a comprehensive audit trail of what is going on onboard. And perhaps even more crucially, what actions have been taken by the crew to mitigate risks and improving crew and vessel safety would become very transparent. View the raw data or feed the data stream into other applications or dashboards for further analysis. As a vessel operator, you have full flexibility in designing your own checklists, your own processes. You define the trigger events and what the crew should input, and when. We handle the technical aspects and run everything on our RaaEDGE platform. Contact us to learn more on how we can support you with digitalizing your operational procedures. --- ### Organizing for digital success > Successful digitalization initiatives depend on technology, but more importantly on how you organize the initiative and the competence and commitment of the people involved. Read more about how to set up your digitalization project for success. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/organizing-for-digital-success Published: 2022-07-06 Categories: Organisation You already know high frequency data from your vessel will be important for you to stay competitive, both from an operational as well as an environmental perspective. You also know that to succeed long term, you have to put data at the heart of your operations, becoming a data driven organization. Building a data driven organization and operation is of course dependent on making the right technological choices. You need to ensure you can start sharp and small, delivering rapid value to prove the viability of the digitalization initiative. You also need to ensure you can grow, scaling across a heterogenous fleet while serving a wide variety of use cases and data needs. This is no small task although there are ways to reduce the risk. The benefits of getting it right are crucial to stay ahead with increasing demands from owners, banks, customers and regulators.   There is one more, often overlooked, factor which will ultimately be the make or break of your initiative; people. But there is one more, often overlooked, factor which will ultimately be the make or break of your initiative; people. Firstly, you need to organize your digitalization initiative, the project, right, in order to deliver the expected results. Secondly, you need to organize your operations right to sustain them over time. Let´s look at what this means in practice. The project organization matters Most importantly, you need a clear owner of your digitalization initiative, who ultimately can make decisions, fund the project while also keeping the long-term perspective and holistic view of what benefits can be realized. This is often a C-level role, to ensure the necessary authority and clear mandate. Without this, the initiative will often be short lived, too small in scale to deliver real value and falter at the first hurdle. In addition to the project owner, a day-to-day project manager will also be needed to ensure internal complexities and friction are handled, while driving for progress. To ensure alignment and broad anchoring, the key functions should be represented in the project and steering groups. Key functions are typically technical and operational departments, innovation teams and IT, but the initiative can include other functions and departments as well. The better understood and anchored the project is, the easier the implementation and roll out phase. More importantly, the better anchored, the easier the operational phase becomes. Data driven means doing things differently. After having realized your vessel digitalization project, you will find yourself in a situation where you have data from your vessels, you have the analytics and insights and you have identified improvement areas and potential savings. Now you need to realize them, as well as to maintain the advantage you have built over time. This means operating differently. As an example, if you print your emails to read them, you lose the efficiency advantage of the digital format. This also goes for vessel operations. If you continue to operate them as you did before you had data, you will miss out on the advantage. So now that you have data you will have to identify what activities you can stop doing, what activities you can do differently and what activities you must start doing. You have to change your processes to reflect the fact that you now have a much better data driven decision making foundation. This means that you need to change how your organization operates. This is why the anchoring in the project phase is so important; the more people understand how you can benefit from data, the easier it is to motivate and sustain the organizational change. It is not simple, but it becomes easier. Technology alone is not a silver bullet but combining the right technology with the right people in the right way creates the foundation for long term success in becoming a data driven organization. At Raa Labs, we have broad experience working with companies who are going through this transformation journey. Get in touch to learn how our technology solution, RaaEDGE, combines with our transformation experience can help you set the right course.   Seaspan, the world's largest independent container vessel owner, partnered with Raa Labs to deploy RaaEDGE across their fleet — enabling high-frequency sensor data collection, real-time shore transmission, and customised data delivery to each charterer. The result: a scalable digital foundation built for decarbonization, AI, and next-generation ship management. Discover how Raa Labs partners with Wiz to deliver secure vessel-to-cloud connectivity for maritime digitalization. Learn how RaaEDGE's integrated security enables ship owners to collect high-frequency operational data, ensure cybersecurity compliance, and accelerate digital transformation across global fleets—even in remote, low-connectivity environments. While maritime executives rush to embrace AI, a critical challenge remains overlooked: the quality of data feeding these systems. Without reliable, accurate, and consistent data, AI initiatives are doomed to fail. Before jumping on the AI bandwagon, maritime organizations must focus on building their data foundation. Learn more about the success factors for your AI project. --- ### The power of a vessel IOT platform > The Internet-of-things lie at the heart of vessel improvements both in operations, maintenance and customer value propositions. To make this happen there this a need for an onboard IOT platform. Read more about how the RaaEdge IOT platform can support you in your digitalisation journey. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/the-power-of-a-vessel-iot-platform Published: 2022-04-04 Categories: Technology In a recent report, the global consulting firm McKinsey estimates that by 2030 the Internet-of-things (IOT) could enable $5.5 trillion to $12.6 trillion in value globally. This of course covers a lot of different industries, but is a testament to the potential of IOT to change how we operate and manage businesses. This is also going to impact the maritime industry. McKinsey sees both condition-based maintenance and operations optimization growing with a CAGR around 25% in the years 2020-30 – both are highly relevant for vessel owners, operators and the maritime industry overall. To support the shipping industry´s need to fully leverage the value of IOT, Raa Labs has developed a highly scalable and flexible IOT platform for vessels. In addition to connecting to fixed onboard systems such as your automation or navigation system (regardless of the OEM of the system, enabling you to harmonize across vessels with heterogenous equipment), we have also integrated a decentralized LoraWAN network in our solution. LoRaWAN is a low-power, wide area networking protocol allowing for wirelessly connecting devices to the internet. This allows you as an owner to leverage a vast offering of different types of sensors to measure anything from humidity, vibrations, pressure to gases. By leveraging the LoraWAN protocol we ensure openness and interchangeability of equipment. Further, we have created a decentralized stack, which allows you to roam LoraWAN networks, for instance if you want to monitor cargo both onshore and on the vessel.  No matter what data you need to solve your use case, the RaaEdge IOT platform can help you get access to it. The key benefits of our onboard IOT platform is that it allows for flexibility in how to get access to data onboard and provide you with similar flexibility in using that data. You can integrate directly to systems, but also capture individual datapoints by leveraging retrofitted sensors to allow for a richer pinpointed operational data stream relevant for your specific vessels. This allows for a greater flexibility and cost efficiency in tailoring specific use cases, as well as enriches the potential data sources you can find onboard your vessels. No matter what data you need to solve your use case, the RaaEdge IOT platform can help you get access to it.   Get in touch to learn more about how we can support you on your digitalization journey. --- ### Choose the front end you want > A sound business strategy is always taking flexibility into account, being able to adapt, and switch around if needed. This is a competitive advantage. This applies for your data driven organization as well. Separating the vessel data layer and the layer that creates whatever output you need, with this data as input, gives you this highly attractive flexibility. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/choose-the-frontend-you-want Published: 2022-02-24 Categories: Technology “Don´t limit your opportunities.” “Keep as many doors open as possible.” “Postpone decisions that are costly to reverse.” “Ensure flexibility.” All of these statements are hard to argue against. A sound business strategy is always taking flexibility into account, being able to adapt, and switch around if needed. This is a competitive advantage. This applies for your data driven organization as well. Separating the vessel data layer, providing the data, and the layer that creates the analytical insight and output you need, gives you valuable flexibility. As an example, if your immediate focus is on compliance and automating reporting, why would you not at the same time ensure that you have the flexibility to also use the same set up to solve future challenges related to for instance anomaly detection on pumps to avoid breakdowns or optimizing vessel routing? This is possible, but you need to avoid falling into the classical traps. As a busy vessel owner, you have a million things on your mind, and it might appear to be the easiest option to select a solution that does one thing, and one thing only. But that requires you to redo everything at a later point when you want to do more with your data, duplicating cost and adding complexity, as well as an unnecessary distraction for your organization. When you want to digitalize, when you want to make your organization data driven – you need flexibility. You need to be able to move in multiple directions (potentially even at the same time!). This is how you create value from your operational vessel data. Separating the data layer from the application layer allows you to do this. When your vessel data is made available and can be sent anywhere you want, you can select the best applications for your current needs or even create your own. You can use specialized applications for specific needs and switch around as your needs change and the software landscape changes. At the end of the day – who knows which application has the best optimization algorithm for your particular vessels five years from now? You can use specialized applications for specific needs and switch around as your needs change and the software landscape changes. But what you do know - is that it is of great value for you to be able to select that application and take advantage of the value from the algorithm or application that is currently best suited to your needs. But to be able to do so you need flexibility. RaaEdge represents this flexibility. We believe in openness, we believe in making you use your data for whatever you want. We are against locking you into doing one thing, when you should be able to do many things. After all, it is your data. Learn more about the capabilities of RaaEdge and how we might support you in your digitalization journey here. Or reach out to us at post@raalabs.com. --- ### Building regulatory compliance on data > Ensure efficient compliance with regulatory requirements by building on a scalable and system agnostic vessel data infrastructure. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/building-regulatory-compliance-on-data Published: 2021-10-17 Categories: Technology, Compliance EU ETS. DCS. MRV. CII. You have probably heard all the acronyms and you know there are more coming. The regulatory requirements for reporting are steadily increasing as the industry is pushed to contribute more to reduce emissions. And this is likely just the beginning because, despite being one of the most efficient means of transportation, the industry still emits too much in absolute terms. So regulatory reporting will become a central part of vessel operations and owners and operators need to be prepared to manage and operate vessels in a transparent and auditable manner. To comply with regulatory requirements, you will likely need more data. A lot more data. To comply with regulatory requirements, you will likely need more data. A lot more data. And to comply in an efficient manner, you will need access to data in a more automated, reliable and holistic way. This will increasingly demand that you have access to high frequency operational vessel data direct from the source system. If you do not build the right foundation for getting data from vessels, you will spend a lot of time and cost on consolidating data from different systems, with the practical issues that implies as well as the challenge of providing an audit trail. Consequently, to ensure you can meet current and future regulatory requirements (such as for instance the introduction of the EU ETS scheme for maritime) in an efficient and scaleable way, you should develop a clear vessel data strategy built on fundamental principles that cut across all your digital initiatives. You need to ensure you choose a path to data that allows you to scale with your ambitions, while avoiding lock in and vendor dependence, as well as minimizing complexity in fleets with heterogenous onboard system architectures. Most fleets are mixed and most vessels differ from each other, so choosing a technology and vendor agnostic data capture solution is critical. Finally, in order to be able to build your reporting processes on the access to high frequency vessel operational data, you need to be sure that there will be someone ensuring the reliable operation of your infrastructure, in essence delivering you the data you need as a service, ensuring you can focus on complying with regulatory requirements not wether the data is available. If you have the right data, reporting and regulatory compliance will be straightforward and if you have the right infrastructure you know you can easily adapt to future requirements. Get in touch to learn more about how RaaEdge can aid you in playing your part in the necessary journey to decarbonisation. --- ### Beware of the single purpose solution > Choosing the right infrastructure to support your long term digital needs is critical. The single purpose solutions for capturing data from an individual system will limit your digital potential as your needs develop. This is why a multi purpose, open and scalable solution is the best solution to ensure you have flexibility as you develop and scale your use of vessel data. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/beware-of-single-purpose-solution Published: 2021-09-28 Categories: Technology Think through why you are interested in operational data before choosing a solution. The wrong choice will limit your digital potential in the future. Mind “the why” As a vessel owner there are many ways you are exposed to potential solutions to the “digital race” you might feel you need to take part in. You probably read about other companies, and probably competitors as well, doing “a lot digital”. This may make you trigger-happy to follow suit. That could be all good and well, just keep in mind why you want to embark on digitalizing your vessels when considering your options.  It is all about the data Firstly, having reliable and high quality data is the foundation for your future digital initiatives. This is not the area to make any shortcuts. The traditional saying “garbage in, garbage out” shouldn’t be forgotten as it still holds true. Secondly you need to be able to focus broadly, pursuing many different use cases as your needs develop over time. Don’t go for a single purpose solution doing one thing only, when you know that your future digital ambitions will require data for many different initiatives going forward. No one knows the needs of tomorrow, so make sure you maintain your flexibility. Lacking standardization and insufficient data quality will hold you back Some of the major challenges that you aim to solve by using data from your vessels, need to be properly addressed across your entire fleet. If not, you cannot compare the performance across vessels, which leaves you nowhere. In order to compare across vessels and different systems, you need to be able to contextualize data across equipment types. This increases the complexity and deep domain knowledge is required to do this well. The same applies for quality assurance of the data. After all, simply piping data through to the cloud is the easy part.   Keep your scale, don’t limit yourself with specific equipment types If you end up with a single purpose solution created by a specific equipment vendor, you will only have that available for the vessels where that equipment is present. That’s a lock-in that you as a vessel owner should try to avoid as it limits your ability to scale solutions, insights and value across your fleet. Even more so if you regularly change the composition of your fleet by adding or divesting vessels.  A heterogenous fleet drives the need for a vendor agnostic solution If you, as most vessel owners or operators, have a heterogenous fleet, with vessels differing in technical setup with different systems and makers across vessels, you are dependent on being able to capture data from any equipment type or maker. You are dependent on getting that data both contextualized and quality assured so that you can manage your entire fleet through one coherent setup. After all, that’s the only way you benefit from your scale. Dividing everything with multiple solutions will give you a challenge when your fleet needs to be managed differently vessel by vessel, depending on the actual equipment present on the different vessels.  We are great believers that you should focus on what you can do really well It is challenging to be good at all things. Being a world-class supplier of an onboard system or sensor does not mean that you are world-class at offering vessel data as a service. It is not that it is not doable, but the question is if you as an owner is better off with an OK single purpose solution rather than with a world-class multi purpose solution? If ROI, scaleability, data quality and the usability of the data is important to you, you should definitely opt for the latter. If you are interested in learning more about our perspectives on Maritime Digitalization, sign up for our newsletter below. Read more about our digital vessel infrastructure, RaaEDGE, and learn more about how we have approached the challenges above. If you are interested in learning more, please do not hesitate to get in touch. --- ### Competing on the Edge > Edge technology is one of the critical factors for the Internet-of-things revolution. For vessel owners it is a central part of your success. Learn more about why this is so important, but tricky, to get right. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/competing-on-the-edge Published: 2021-08-06 Categories: Technology In a recent report, the leading business consultancy McKinsey highlighted the leading technology trends that are likely to influence society and businesses in the years to come. Among the top technologies identified, McKinsey places Edge technologies as a critical enabler for the Internet of Things revolution. Coming from the maritime industry, this makes a lot of sense. Despite its prevalence in our everyday lives, access to a high speed and low latency internet connection cannot always be taken for granted. In a lot of operational scenarios your data infrastructure needs to be built to operate in an “occasionally connected” environment. This places particular demands on the technology stack and software deployed to these use cases. The maritime industry is one of the industries where this will be an instrumental criteria for any digitalization effort. Vessels sail around the globe and will experience highly variable conditions for connectivity. So-called “satellite shadows” often lead to missing connectivity altogether, while bandwidth and speed can vary on a daily, or even hourly, basis. Even if we will see an increase in connectivity solutions, with both incumbent players as well as new entrants stepping up the effort to provide high speed internet access to every corner of the world, Edge will still remain an important element of the infrastructure. Not the least because, as McKinsey states, the increasing data intensity in all industrial processes will require a lot more computation to happen on the Edge, in real time, rather than in retrospect in the cloud. Why is getting your Edge technology right so tricky? There are three main issues that need to be tackled by the digital infrastructure onboard a connected vessel. State of the art security: There is an increasing need to ensure all digital deployments on a vessel meet security requirements. This means that you will want to have an infrastructure onboard that is always updated to the latest, state of the art security levels, without you having to worry about this. This requires an infrastructure that is continuously developed and updated over-the-air with the latest releases, with every unit being equally safe at all times without having to wait for manual updates to be deployed on a vessel by vessel basis. Self reliance: An onboard system needs to be able to operate completely independently, even in offline mode, while at the same time being able to be updated on a regular basis to add enhanced features as well as to ensure all necessary cyber security updates are installed. Whenever a connection is available, the system therefore needs to be able to grab updates, download them and install without failing. This needs to be automated to ensure you do not fall victim to failing manual processes or human error. Trustworthy data: In most, if not all, vessel digitalization initiatives, data plays a significant role. As an owner or operator vessels, you need to be able to trust that the data you get is complete and that you can trust it. Some of the data you will likely get on a real-time basis, while some is uploaded in batches whenever suitable. Even if a vessel goes offline, you need to be able to trust that you will get a complete data set with trustworthy data as soon as the vessel comes online again. This place demands on the ability of the infrastructure to ensure that data is uploaded as desired as well as stored underway, irrespective of wether the vessel has connectivity or not. These three elements are critical for a digital infrastructure operating at the Edge. In addition, there is a fundamental value in being able to undertake computing tasks as close to the data source as possible. These tasks can for instance be compression or data quality related tasks. Compressing at the Edge enables you to reduce data transmission needs as well, while data quality tasks allow you to also consume the data at the Edge, for instance as a dashboard for crews, with the same data quality as the onshore personnel will experience. This further emphasizes the need for Edge technologies to support your digitalization efforts. Get in touch if you want to learn more about how RaaEdge can help you achieving the maximum potential from your fleet. --- ### It all begins with the digital vessel infrastructure > The fundamentals required for “anything digital” onboard the vessel. The critical layer which is required for digitalization success URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/vessel-infrastructure Published: 2021-07-29 Categories: Technology When considering a digitalized vessel, one quickly associates it with advanced dashboards, algorithms and applications. While this is also true, there is a more critical layer further down in the technology stack which is often overlooked; ensuring data is captured, processed, structured and quality checked before it is made available for the application. For us, the digital vessel infrastructure is this critical enabler for other digital initiatives related to a vessel. Whether you want to create simple dashboards or run advanced algorithms, all your initiatives require quality data, delivered reliably in a structured format. With deep roots in the maritime domain, and with unrivaled experience from digitalizing vessels, we know all the challenges and pitfalls – and we know how to handle them. If the fundamental infrastructure isn’t done properly, digital initiatives using vessel data may be using irregular, erroneous or incomparable data, or not receive any data at all. We provide our digital infrastructure as a service, because we understand that your digital initiatives require data continuously. We manage everything professionally and ensure that everything keeps running 24/7/365 and support you with troubleshooting when undesired events happen onboard. We handle the constant challenges relating to connectivity issues and interact with required stakeholders. We do this, to ensure that you can focus on solving your most pressing challenges, leveraging the power of a proper digital infrastructure in place taking care of the crucial basics. So you do not have to. Providing digital infrastructure as a service also allows you to grow with the solution. Start small, then expand and add services and modules along with your digital strategy and growing ambition. This provides you with the maximum flexibility and a cost efficient set up. Embracing digitalization has never been easier. But you still need to get it right from the start.   Learn more about RaaEdge here – or reach out to us here to discuss how we might support your goals. --- ### Taking action from your data > Automating and simplifying processes using events and operational data in realtime allows you to realize the future operating model today. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/trigger Published: 2021-07-17 Categories: Organisation Thinking about operational vessel data and how to unlock value from it, the first thing most people think about are analytics and dashboards, allowing you to gain greater insights in how you operate your vessels. What really matters though, is being able to take action on your data and actually do something different, faster or better than you would otherwise have done. A key element of taking action on the data is automating processes and simplifying or even making work tasks redundant. This represents a different, and often overlooked, area of potential value creation. If you had the data available, what vessel events may trigger actions? And what action would you take? These questions can be answered in as many ways as there are vessel owners and operators – but they are fundamental. The way you operate your vessels on a day-to-day basis can be improved based on live vessel data events. Imagine one of your vessels entering a geofenced area that you have defined, for instance the approach to a specific port. This triggers an automatic sms/email to inform you and automatically launches a checklist for vessel crew to complete prior to arrival: The checklist can be specific to the port in question and vary depending on local regulation and reporting needs in different ports. By ensuring that all necessary procedures have been completed and requirements met, you smooth the port call and minimize the risk of unwanted delays - automatically. This may sound like the future, but this is what RaaEdge can help you do. Creating processes, simple or complex, based on data from vessel events and interaction with crew opens up a plethora of opportunities for any vessel owner and operator to improve their operations. It really only comes down to your imagination of how you can use data and events to improve your processes. The real life test of connecting vessels are improved operational processes. Building your operational processes on RaaEdge is the first step towards the operational model of tomorrow. Reach out to us to learn more about the possibilities of RaaEdge infrastructure and how this can be adapted to your specific needs. - Contact us --- ### Reliable operation of the onboard infrastructure > Ensuring stable operations of the infrastructure and reliable flow of data from the vessel is quite challenging. Vessels operate around the world, with a lot of stakeholders involved in the numerous technical aspects onboard. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/operate-your-onboard-infrastructure Published: 2021-07-15 Categories: Operations Digitalising your fleet is about implementing an onboard infrastructure to allow you to access and work with operational vessel data in real-time. It is also a transformation journey because its success hinges on your ability to adopt a data driven operational model, leveraging data in your everyday processes and decision making. This however, places great demands on the ability to build your processes around a reliable and trustworthy flow of data. Connecting to data sources is demanding in itself, but having a stable operations of the infrastructure and reliable flow of data from the vessel raises the bar further. Vessels operate around the world, with a lot of stakeholders involved in the numerous technical aspects onboard. There are many things that can lead to an interruption of the data, from simple power outages, connectivity issues to network or system changes onboard. To trust your data, you require a professional and experienced partner to manage the onboard infrastructure. In our experience, there are three key elements to getting the operations of your infrastructure right: Know the environment: In the Raa Labs implementation process a lot of resources is put into the structured mapping of the onboard systems and the actual configurations, as well as the various stakeholders involved in the onboard environment. Having this as a starting point is essential for your success. Automated monitoring: The efficient management of large fleets of infrastructure operating under varied conditions, requires a coherent and automated monitoring of the onboard infrastructure and the performance. Efficient troubleshooting processes: Things will go wrong from time to time, but when they do you depend on an efficient troubleshooting process that allows you to quickly identify what the issue is, how to mitigate and which parties need to be involved to rectify the situation. Based on the broad experience that Raa Labs has, we know that this part of the digitalization project is often the most overlooked and least “interesting”. It is however the most important to ensure you can build a sustainable and future proof solution you can trust. Reach out if you want to learn more about how we can support you in managing your infrastructure. --- ### Four fundamental digitalization principles > These four important principles should be on top of the agenda for vessel owners and operators seeking to digitalize their vessels. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/four-fundamental-principles Published: 2021-06-18 Categories: Organisation In our experience, there is a very clear pattern among vessel owners and operators in how they approach digitalization of their vessels. While vessel digitalization has the potential to change the way we operate and provide immense benefits, navigating through the pitfalls can be tricky. There is a big gap between what most vessel owners and operators “should want” and what they often “think they want”. Heavily influenced by glossy stories of advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence, it is easy to fall into the trap of starting out in the advanced end without first solving the basics. Getting the basics right is paramount for any vessel owner or operator, regardless of whether vessels already have some form of digital capability or if the digital initiative represents something completely new. Based on the experience we have from working with various types of owners and needs, we believe these four principles should be on top of your vessel digitalization agenda: 1 – Data ownership: You as a vessel owner/operator own the data generated from your vessel. You should be able to access this data and use it in any way you see fit. 2 – Flexibility throughout the digital journey: You need to ensure flexibility and scalability in any solution to solve your unique challenges today and tomorrow. Your needs will develop over time and you need to ensure that you have a flexible setup that can handle changes and constantly be adapted. Avoid proprietary silos. An open infrastructure ensure that you can go in many directions, providing scalability and flexibility. 3 – Lock in vs. freedom: Don’t get locked in and get “everything” from one supplier. No single supplier will be best at everything. You should have the freedom to work with best of breed suppliers on any specialist topic in order to realize your digital use cases in the best possible way. No one knows the winners of the future – but you should be able to continuously select whom to work with. 4 – Silver bullet: There is no such thing. If anyone say vessel digitalization is easy, stay away. It takes focus, dedication and experience. The good news is that the rewards outweigh the efforts. When embarking on vessel digitalization, ensure to get the basics rights, everything else will follow consequentially. Learn more about how we approach vessel digitalization – reach out to us, we are happy to talk.  - Contact us --- ### You want to digitalize, now what? > Deciding to start a vessel digitalization initiative can be challenging. Where to begin? How to begin? What ensures success? URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/starting-to-digitalize Published: 2021-05-18 Categories: Technology Deciding to start a vessel digitalization initiative can be challenging. Where to begin? How to begin? What drives costs? How to realize the benefits? What partner(s) do I need for this to become a success? One of our most fundamental recommendations to any vessel owner/operator that wishes to digitalize their fleet is to start with the focus on a single use case. Although it may seem attractive to get access to all operational data from the vessel immediately, the likelihood of drowning in the massive data amounts increases. At the same time the likelihood of successfully generating value decreases. Starting off the digitalization journey with a clear and sharp use case ensure that everyone focuses on solving one specific problem that realizes value immediately. Starting off the digitalization journey with a clear and sharp use case ensure that everyone focuses on solving one specific problem that realizes value immediately. Tackling use cases one by one makes the digitalization initiative both feasible and comprehensive. You should still dream big, set bold ambitions, but ensure focus and start with one use case, before continuing to realize the ambition over time. With this approach, the importance of having an infrastructure in place that can tackle a broad set of use cases becomes paramount. Avoiding single purpose setups and opting for flexibility and scalability will ensure that the same infrastructure investment can be leveraged to generate value for your fleet over time. Proprietary solutions add a limit to what vessel owners and operators can do. We believe that this represents a risk, since as an owner you do not know what use cases would become important for you at a later point in the future. With an open infrastructure, the vessel owner and operator have the flexibility to work with best of breed suppliers for any niche use case. Avoiding constraints from non-flexible suppliers is crucial and understanding this at an early stage will increase the likelihood of success. The industry is challenged by lacking standardization and varying data quality – which represents hurdles that must be overcome by any player that wishes to take part in the digital future. At first glance this might seem like a small topic, but ensuring that operational data is reliable and comparable across a fleet of heterogenous vessels can be a daunting task. This challenge requires both strong experience from vessel digitalization and deep maritime domain expertise. Making sure everything runs reliably and as expected onboard shouldn’t be overlooked either. The environment in which the infrastructure runs is far from stable - vessels will experience connectivity issues, many different stakeholders from crew, owners, OEMs, vessel IT etc will be involved, and changes will be required. Ensuring that you have an infrastructure partner capable of handling these complexities from the beginning will save both time and cost. Learn more about how we assist our clients and start the digitalization journey - Contact us --- ### Why contextualization is critical > Vessel comparison is impossible without - if you want to use your operational vessel data in a meaningful way, you need to ensure proper contextualization of your data tags URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/articles/contextualization Published: 2021-04-13 Categories: Technology Contextualization of data might not be top of mind when starting out with digitalizing vessels. However, if you intend to understand what the operational data you receive is – or even think about comparing vessel data across a fleet – you are completely dependent on data contextualization. In essence, contextualization is about putting the cryptic data series you get out of an onboard system into a structure you can understand, e.g. giving them context and a place in a hierarchy. Our experience with contextualization has revealed that many vessel systems produce dataseries with names, tags, that are very har do make practical sense of and that require contextualization. Across a fleet you may have tens or hundreds of thousands of dataseries available. You will often find that the same dataseries (e.g. exhaust gas temperature) will have many different names across the various vessels in a fleet, which makes it all but impossible to compare and use the data efficiently. Any third party application or dashboard is built on the premise of receiving clean and structured data as input. This can only be achieved with proper contextualization. If you for instance want to compare the data series of “Main Engine Shaft RPM” across a fleet of vessels, you want to ensure that you are comparing apples to apples. This is only true as long as the naming of the data tags have been standardized. The same analysis would be fairly tricky if you for each vessel would need to consider if “ME_RPM”, “ShaftRevolution”, “ME RPM”, … etc would represent the same data series. Not to mention that the unit of the data series may differ from vessel to vessel, as well as the scaling of the value. Locating the right data series can also be a rigorous task, this is why it makes sense to name all the data series according to a proper asset hierarchy that is humanly understandable, structured and available for drill down. This makes it easier to work with the data. To ensure interoperability, this asset hierarchy needs to follow commonly agreed standards. The importance of tag standardization and contextualization cannot be overstated, as without it you will find it hard to get value from the data. Even worse, your data use cases will be hard to scale beyond the first vessel you have tested it on, as the complexity rises sharply with the number of vessels involved.   To get contextualization right requires experience and deep domain expertise. Reach out to us, and we are happy to walk you through how we approach contextualization and ensure the availability of meaningful data for your digital initiatives. - Contact us --- ## Case Studies ### How Seaspan Built a Fleet-Wide Data Foundation for Decarbonization with RaaEDGE > Seaspan is pushing the boundaries with data-driven decarbonization while building a data foundation across the fleet to enable the benefits of digitalization and AI for next-level vessel optimization. Learn more about how they achieve this together with Raa Labs. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/case-studies/seaspan_data_foundation Customer: Seaspan Industry: Tonnage provider The Challenge Seaspan Corporation Pte. Ltd., the world's largest independent owner and operator of container vessels serving the world’s largest major liner companies, is approaching the industry-wide challenge of enhancing operational efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint with an innovative, data driven strategy. As part of an ambitious suite of asset development and efficiency improvement initiatives, the company is seeking to transform how they collect, process, and deliver vessel data to both their own operations and their charterer customers. The core challenge: Each charterer has unique data requirements, operating standards, and delivery preferences. Traditional data collection methods do not support the near real-time, high frequency insights needed for vessel performance optimization and decarbonization. The Solution Seaspan has partnered with Raa Labs to deploy the RaaEDGE IoT platform across their fleet, creating world-leading digital capability onboard. Key capabilities delivered: High-frequency data collection from ship sensors with real-time shore transmission Flexible data standardization supporting multiple formats and aggregation levels Customized delivery tailored to each charterer's specific operational needs Onboard accessibility enabling crew to access and utilize data directly Enabling advanced fuel and emission performance analytics and forecasts "For us, data isn't just an add-on, it is part of the value delivery itself. By giving our charterers transparent access to near realtime data, we enable them to operate more efficiently and sustainably." Sebastian Sala, Director, Business Intelligence, Seaspan Corporation Pte. Ltd. The Impact The collaboration is already generating measurable results across operations, strategy, and sustainability. Charterers now receive vessel data in their preferred standards and aggregations Real-time insights enable proactive decision-making for fuel and emission optimization Increased value from data positions Seaspan to implement Next Generation Ship Management practices Operational excellence Seaspan differentiates itself as a "digital tonnage provider" Single infrastructure supports multiple use cases from maintenance to security Scalable foundation enables future AI and advanced analytics initiatives Strategic advantage High-frequency data directly supports ESG and decarbonization goals Near real-time monitoring enables precise fuel consumption optimization Data-driven insights align operational excellence with environmental targets Sustainability progress "The key to unlocking digital transformation at scale is reliable, high-frequency data. Together with Seaspan, we've delivered a data foundation that enables endless use cases for Seaspan and their charterers." Ari Marjamaa, CEO, Raa Labs Looking ahead With RaaEDGE as their digital backbone, Seaspan is positioned to continuously expand their data-driven capabilities. The flexible, scalable infrastructure supports their vision of delivering not just vessels, but vessels ready for the future of sustainable shipping. "Every charterer has unique requirements. With RaaEDGE we can tailor data deliveries to each partner, while at the same time meeting our own needs as a vessel owner." Sebastian Sala, Director, Business Intelligence, Seaspan Corporation Pte. Ltd. The result Seaspan now sets the industry standard for what it means to be a data-driven maritime asset provider in an era of rapid decarbonization and digital transformation. You can download the customer case here. --- ## Whitepapers ### Reliable vessel data at fleet scale > This white paper tells the story of how Eastern Pacific Shipping, one of the world's largest ship owners, moved from data-rich to data-ready across a fleet of more than 350 vessels. Working with Raa Labs, EPS built a unified vessel data foundation that standardises fleet data, monitors its health continuously, and delivers it through structured APIs and a conversational MCP to interact with the data through LLMs and AI chatbots. Readers come away with a clear example of how treating vessel data as governed infrastructure, not fragmented telemetry, can unlock performance, sustainability, and AI at fleet scale. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/whitepapers/eastern-pacific-shipping_data-foundation Executive summary Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) is one of the world's leading vessel owners, managing a diverse fleet of more than 350 vessels with over 30 million deadweight tonnes in total capacity. A recognised forerunner in sustainability and digital innovation, EPS has deployed various innovative technologies, including high-frequency data collection across its fleet. At this scale and level of ambition, reliable and comparable vessel data is not a supporting function. It is infrastructure. EPS recognised early that fragmented data streams, multiple onboard data collectors, and inconsistent standards would limit its ability to achieve fleet-wide performance and sustainability goals, serve charterers with trusted information, and scale digital use cases. Rather than addressing these challenges incrementally, EPS made a deliberate architectural decision: to establish a unified vessel data foundation. Working with Raa Labs as its vessel data infrastructure partner, EPS implemented a foundation that standardises data across the fleet, provides continuous monitoring of data health, and delivers harmonised data through structured APIs. The result is a scalable, governed infrastructure that allows EPS to treat vessel data as a strategic asset, supporting performance optimisation, sharing reliable data with charterers, and delivering the pace of innovation its fleet demands. Scaling ambition in a complex environment The maritime industry faces compounding pressures: tightening environmental regulation and rising expectations for operational improvements. Until recently, most shipping operations relied on offline, vessel-specific systems. It is only in the past decade that vessels have begun sending high-frequency data from ship to shore, and the industry overall remains in the early stages of managing this data reliably at scale. Eastern Pacific Shipping has not waited for the industry to mature. The company has invested in technologies and operational practices that position it at the frontier of maritime innovation. High-quality telemetry sits at the centre of these initiatives. For EPS, vessel data is the critical enabler of operational excellence, delivering a quality service to charterers, and long-term competitiveness. The challenge: from data-rich to data-ready EPS had already invested significantly in vessel data collection. Multiple onboard data collectors were installed across the fleet, capturing data from quality sensors. Several systems delivered data to different clouds. By any conventional measure, EPS was data-rich. But having data is not the same as being able to turn it into value. As the fleet expanded and technology initiatives accelerated, structural challenges became clear. Data fragmentation Vessel data resided across multiple collectors and OEM clouds, each with its own data structures, naming conventions, and units of measure. Even when similar signals were available across vessels, they were not directly comparable. Furthermore, every cloud meant a separate path for data retrieval, making it very hard to work efficiently with the fleet at large. Multiple data collectors meant relying on various APIs not designed for the retrieval speeds and data volumes required, often taking hours to return data. This severely limited the ability to process and provide actionable insights from the data. Inconsistent standardisation Different methodologies for handling different types of telemetry across different providers further increased the complexity of working with a large fleet. The same operational tag, whether fuel consumption, shaft power or draught, could arrive with different tag names, scaling factors, or units depending on the vessel and data collector. Fleet-wide analysis required repeated manual data engineering and reconciliation. Operational blind spots When data streams were interrupted, degraded, or partially missing, there was no easy and systematic way to detect it. Issues could remain hidden until downstream analytics or performance reports exposed inconsistencies. Staying at the forefront and having recognised the problem early, EPS has a dedicated telemetry team actively working on handling data issues across the fleet. But the work of consistently prioritising and finding the issues to correct was both tedious and challenging. Duplication of effort Every internal team and external partner working with EPS data faced the same challenges independently, cleaning, reconciling, and validating before any analysis could begin. For a fleet of EPS's scale and expansion, this was a structural constraint. Fleet size should be a strategic advantage. Instead, without harmonisation, it amplified complexity. The strategic decision: a vessel data foundation Rather than addressing these challenges through individual integration projects or point-by-point fixes, EPS chose a structural approach. Together with Raa Labs, EPS established a unified vessel data foundation designed to sit between different onboard data collectors and all downstream applications, creating a single governed cloud layer where data is standardised, continuously monitored, and made accessible across the fleet. This was not a technology procurement decision. It was an architectural decision about how vessel data should be managed as a long-term capability. With harmonised, high-frequency data now readily available across the fleet, EPS can quantify the effect of new and existing technologies where it was once not possible. Fleet-wide standardisation Data from multiple onboard collectors and cloud sources is ingested into the Raa Labs foundation and harmonised into a common structure. Tag naming conventions, units of measure, and scaling are standardised. The same signal means the same thing regardless of which vessel it originates from or what data collector captured it, enabling EPS to conduct fleet-wide performance comparisons on a genuine like-for-like basis. This enabled EPS to benefit from their scale. Operational monitoring and data quality A defining requirement for EPS was operational visibility into the health of its data. The foundation is operated as a managed infrastructure layer, enabling systematic comparison between expected and actual data tags per vessel, surfacing missing signals and connectivity interruptions. Continuous data quality models detect anomalies or implausible readings. In practice, this means that EPS's telemetry team has a clear, real-time view of which vessels are connected, which signals are streaming, and where issues exist. Rather than manually checking individual data sources or waiting for downstream failures to reveal problems, the team can see the status of the entire fleet in one place and efficiently pinpoint exactly where a data stream has degraded, a signal has dropped, or a sensor has stopped sending data. This operational visibility transforms how data health is managed, making the process structured and easier to prioritise follow-up. EPS has a dedicated telemetry team responsible for data-related issues across the fleet, coordinating between OEMs, vessel managers, and crew. With these monitoring capabilities at their disposal, the team can prioritise effectively, act on real issues quickly, and maintain an overview of the complete fleet at all times. Data becomes actively managed infrastructure, not a passive byproduct of onboard systems. Structured access and controlled sharing The foundation exposes harmonised data through advanced APIs developed by Raa Labs. Data retrieval that previously took hours or was near impossible is now possible programmatically in seconds, unlocking efficient, on-the-fly analytics both internally and externally. This allows for seamless handling of large data volumes to feed data-hungry machine learning algorithms and truly understand the current state of the fleet. Defined subsets of data can also be shared efficiently with charterers, third parties, and technology partners without requiring custom integration projects each time. Data ownership and control remain firmly with EPS. "Having a solid vessel data foundation is fundamental to our digital strategy. It allows us to compare apples to apples across our entire fleet and ensures we can serve our charterers with higher quality and transparent performance data. The collaboration with Raa Labs has been essential in making this a reality at the scale we operate." Pavlos Karagiannidis, Manager Fleet Optimisation, Eastern Pacific Shipping Conversational access through a vessel data MCP For EPS, the value of a trusted data foundation is measured by how easily the organisation can put it to work. Building on the API layer, EPS has become an early adopter of a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server developed by Raa Labs. An MCP is an open standard that allows AI assistants to connect securely to an external data source and work with it directly. For EPS, it turns the vessel data foundation into something anyone in the organisation can query in plain language, retrieving harmonised, quality-checked data and getting back answers, tables, and visualisations. This changes who can work with fleet data at EPS. Rather than writing API queries or routing requests through a data engineer, an EPS user can simply ask questions such as "which vessels reported fuel consumption above a given threshold last month", "how shaft power compared across sister vessels on a particular voyage", or "where data streams dropped overnight". The request is translated, the foundation's APIs are called, and the relevant data comes back, drawing on the same standardisation and data quality that govern the rest of the platform. EPS's access controls and data ownership remain unchanged; the MCP is a new way in, not a new copy of the data. "EPS has been an early adopter of AI, and it has been a pleasure to partner with them in putting it to work on their fleet data." Ari Marjamaa, CEO, Raa Labs By being one of the first operators to put the MCP into practice, EPS extends fleet insight well beyond its technical analytics team, accelerating day-to-day exploration and decision-making across the business. Early adoption also lets EPS shape how the capability develops, ensuring it reflects the questions and workflows that matter most to its operation. As AI assistants become standard tools across the company, EPS will already have a trusted, governed channel connecting them directly to reliable fleet data. "The value of our data foundation really is becoming apparent with the MCP. Because the underlying data is structured and trustworthy, asking questions of the fleet became genuinely effortless, and the quality of the answers reflects the quality of the foundation beneath them." Mike Wilson, Assistant Manager, Fleet Optimisation, Eastern Pacific Shipping The value of partnership Establishing a fleet-wide vessel data foundation is not a technology deployment alone. High-frequency vessel data is inherently complex and vessel-specific. Progress requires sustained, structured collaboration across OEMs, data collector vendors, crew, vessel managers, and internal analytics teams. EPS and Raa Labs have worked in close and sustained collaboration to build and refine the foundation, iterating, learning, and solving the many variables that determine whether fleet-scale data can be trusted. Raa Labs brings deep expertise in vessel data infrastructure and the technical systems and operational processes required to capture, standardise, and deliver vessel data reliably at scale. Combined with EPS's sophisticated understanding of what its fleet data must deliver and how to efficiently address the data health issues that occur, the result is a foundation that is both technically robust and operationally practical. "Fleet-scale data reliability is not something you solve once. What made this work was EPS's willingness to treat it as an ongoing operational discipline, not a one-off project. Our role is to provide the infrastructure and the operational visibility, but the reason it works so well is that EPS has the internal capability to act on issues impacting their data." Ari Marjamaa, CEO, Raa Labs What the vessel data foundation enables for EPS Standardised, comparable data across vessels regardless of onboard data collector or OEM system Continuous monitoring of data streams with visibility into expected versus actual tags per vessel Data quality models running continuously to detect anomalies, drift, and signal degradation High-performance API access enabling data retrieval in seconds for internal analytics and controlled third-party sharing Conversational access via an MCP, letting AI assistants query the fleet's harmonised data in plain language while preserving the platform's governance and access controls A governed data layer independent of any single analytics vendor, preserving EPS's freedom to evolve use cases over time Conclusion By establishing a unified vessel data foundation in collaboration with Raa Labs, EPS has created scalable infrastructure that supports its ambitions in performance, sustainability, service to charterers, and innovation. Vessel data across the fleet is standardised, monitored, and accessible, not as a collection of fragmented streams, but as a governed, reliable asset. As the maritime industry continues to evolve, with new regulations and ever-increasing expectations for efficiency, this architectural discipline ensures that EPS can move faster and leverage vessel data at scale. Vessel data is no longer fragmented telemetry. For EPS, it is strategic infrastructure. About Eastern Pacific Shipping Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) is one of the world's largest ship owners, operating a diversified fleet of more than 350 vessels with over 36 million deadweight tonnes under management. With an orderbook of more than 100 vessels, EPS is positioned for continued growth. The company is a recognised leader in sustainability and innovation, with investments spanning alternative fuels, carbon capture, wind-assisted propulsion, and advanced data-driven performance management. EPS is headquartered in Singapore. About Raa Labs Raa Labs provides vessel data infrastructure for the maritime industry, the independent data layer beneath applications that captures, standardises, and delivers vessel operational data reliably at fleet scale. Working with leading global fleet operators, Raa Labs enables fleets to trust their data in everyday processes and decisions. Raa Labs is based in Norway and is part of the Wilhelmsen Group. --- ### Future proofing your EDGE > This white paper serves as a practical procurement guide for maritime professionals evaluating onboard IoT Edge solutions. Building on Raa Labs' earlier white papers on vessel data strategy and maritime digitalization, it outlines the key criteria for selecting an Edge platform that meets both current and future needs. Readers come away better equipped to write RFIs and RFPs, run structured vendor assessments, and ask the right questions — with the goal of making a future-proof technology choice that supports long-term data-driven leadership. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/whitepapers/future_proofing_edge Key features of an onboard IoT platform This white paper is created for executives, vessel owners, operators, and maritime industry professionals who are navigating the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in maritime operations. In our previous white papers we explored how to craft a successful vessel data strategy, as well as how to succeed with maritime digitalization. In this white paper, we offer a practical guide to what criteria you must assess when choosing an EDGE solution. You will get an overview of the key considerations you must make and how to evaluate whether the solution you are reviewing will meet your requirements today, as well as tomorrow. By reading this guide, stakeholders will be better equipped to develop requests for information or proposals, create comprehensive vendor assessment reviews, and prepare questions for vendor interviews. By following the recommendations, you will be able to future-proof your EDGE, becoming a data-driven maritime leader. Introduction The path to decarbonization starts with digitization. By using operational vessel data to optimize your fleet management, you can reduce emissions immediately. However, achieving this requires an EDGE solution that seamlessly connects to any data source onboard and provides a reliable, high-quality data feed. An EDGE solution acts as a middle layer between your onboard systems and IoT devices, and the cloud platform where the data is stored onshore. It performs three primary functions: connecting to data sources processing and managing data locally making the data available in the cloud for analytics and specialized software solutions Choosing the right EDGE solution requires understanding its nuances and ensuring that it meets your core requirements. Below are the key characteristics to consider for a future-proof EDGE solution. The characteristics of a future-proof EDGE solution System and vendor agnostic Your EDGE solution must be independent of systems and vendors, allowing you to choose any sensor or system onboard and connect to any system across a heterogeneous fleet of ships. Avoid locking yourself into a specific vendor, system, or protocol-dependent EDGE solution that limits your choice of how to use the EDGE to serve your data needs on both existing and newly built vessels. This flexibility ensures that as technology evolves, you can integrate new systems without significant overhauls or compatibility issues. Scalable and flexible Your preferred EDGE solution should scale with your needs and run on different onboard hardware platforms or even within your existing IT infrastructure. As your fleet grows or your operational requirements change, the EDGE platform should seamlessly expand its capabilities to serve your future needs. This includes the ability to integrate additional data sources, increase data processing power, and adapt to new regulatory requirements. Autonomous operation Your EDGE solution must be able to function autonomously without connectivity, managing data capture locally for extended periods. It should also upload buffered data and install patches and software updates automatically when connectivity is restored. This autonomy is crucial for ensuring continuous operation during long voyages where connectivity may be intermittent or entirely absent. Solid local buffering Your EDGE solution should have ample local data storage to handle poor or missing connectivity and insufficient or costly bandwidth. It should also be able to automatically select whether to transmit or store data based on your preferences. This capability ensures that no critical data is lost during periods of connectivity loss and that data integrity is maintained irrespective of the bandwidth conditions. The solution should also be flexible enough to allow for tailoring the local storage capacity to your specific use cases. Calculation and rule engine Your EDGE solution must support the development and deployment of custom rules or calculations, such as the calculation of averages, the combination of time series using formulas, or the construction of new time series based on raw data observations. These rules and calculations should be customizable at the vessel level and updatable remotely and on the fly. This enables real-time data analytics and decision-making onboard the vessel. It also enables the development of hybrid or aggregated datapoints, for instance through down-sampling, averages, or the formulaic calculation of results. Local applications Your EDGE solution must support local applications running on the EDGE, leveraging real-time OT data from onboard systems and IoT devices. These applications should include analytics dashboards or machine learning algorithms and be deployable and manageable remotely. The EDGE solution should also share data locally onboard through APIs or an MQTT broker to enable widespread usage. This enhances the operational efficiency and decision-making process directly onboard. Technology agnostic Your EDGE solution must be agnostic to the communication protocols used by systems and IoT devices, allowing for a wide range of communication protocols and carriers including ModBus, CanBus, OPC UA, MQTT, or wireless LoRaWAN. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of current and future devices, protecting your investment from obsolescence as technology evolves. Availability and reliability Your EDGE solution should come with rich monitoring and alerting functionality allowing for observability of any issues related to the health of the EDGE unit, runtime, or connectivity, and be able to self-detect and self-heal, automatically rebooting or restarting, or even reverting to previous software versions, as needed. High availability and reliability are critical for ensuring that data streams remain uninterrupted, and that the system recovers quickly from any failures. Remote management and update Your EDGE solution should be 100% remotely configured, monitored, and managed to support vessels sailing globally. This allows for centralized control and updates, reducing the need for onboard technical expertise and ensuring that all vessels operate with the latest software versions and security patches. Data quality Your EDGE solution must ensure data integrity and continuously monitor data quality to proactively identify and mitigate quality issues. High data quality is essential for accurate analytics and decision-making, and proactive monitoring helps maintain the trustworthiness of the data collected. Vessel data as a service Your EDGE solution provider must be committed to delivering vessel data as a service with an SLA and KPI-based remuneration based on performance, to ensure that you can trust the data to be available when you need it. This service-oriented approach guarantees that the data is reliable, and that the provider is accountable for its performance. A future-proof EDGE is not merely hardware or software, but the operational capabilities of the team offering the service of reliable, high-quality data. Support and troubleshooting Your EDGE solution provider must offer continuous monitoring, proactive global support, and troubleshooting to ensure swift restoration of the data feed you rely on. Reliable support services ensure that any issues are quickly addressed, minimizing downtime and maintaining operational efficiency. Secure by design All these features must address and comply with strict cybersecurity concerns. As vessels become more connected, the risk of cyber-attacks increases. A robust EDGE solution will incorporate multiple layers of security, including data encryption, secure authentication mechanisms, and regular security updates to protect against threats. Conclusion: think holistically To future-proof your EDGE solution, you need to think holistically and retain the flexibility to meet current needs while being able to capture new opportunities, all with the same infrastructure. Thinking holistically today, and choosing your EDGE solution based on the above recommendations, will enable you to quickly adapt in the future when new needs arise, without having to rethink (or re-invest in) your entire EDGE infrastructure across your fleet. By considering these characteristics and ensuring your EDGE solution meets these criteria, you can optimize your fleet's operational efficiency, ensure data integrity, and maintain the flexibility to adapt to future technological advancements and regulatory changes. About Raa Labs Raa Labs provides vessel data infrastructure for the maritime industry, the independent data layer beneath applications that captures, standardises, and delivers vessel operational data reliably at fleet scale. Working with leading global fleet operators, Raa Labs enables fleets to trust their data in everyday processes and decisions. Raa Labs is based in Norway and is part of the Wilhelmsen Group. --- ### Succeeding with maritime digitalization > This white paper is aimed at maritime executives and operators navigating digital transformation. It argues that digitalization is now a strategic necessity — not just for efficiency, but to meet environmental targets. Success depends on strong top-management commitment, a clear vessel data strategy, and a dedicated transformation team. The paper also stresses the importance of understanding the full technology stack — from onboard sensors to cloud infrastructure — and building a solid digital foundation that enables long-term, sustainable innovation. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/whitepapers/maritime_digitalization_success The executive view This white paper is created for executives, vessel owners, operators, and maritime industry professionals who are navigating the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in maritime operations. It offers an in-depth exploration of how digitalization can significantly enhance operational efficiency, drive sustainability efforts, and foster innovation in the maritime sector. Readers will gain insights into the critical role of top management in steering digital initiatives, the importance of a comprehensive vessel data strategy, and the nuances of technological layers essential for digital transformation. By reading this guide, stakeholders will be equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions, leverage best-of-breed digital solutions, and implement a robust digital foundation that positions their operations for success with digitalization initiatives in a rapidly evolving industry landscape. Executive summary Digital transformation as a strategic imperative: The maritime industry is at a crucial point where embracing digitalization is not just an option but a necessity to meet environmental regulations and enhance operational efficiency. The drive towards achieving IMO 2030 and 2050 goals underscores the need for a sustainable and efficient future through digital means. Leadership and visionary guidance: The success of maritime digitalization heavily relies on top management's commitment and the strategic vision they set forth. Leadership's role is crucial in crafting and implementing a vision that integrates digitalization into the core of maritime operations, ensuring alignment and support across the organization. The role of a vessel data strategy and the transformation team: Developing a successful vessel data strategy is central to digital transformation, enabling vessel operations to become more efficient and environmentally friendly. This strategy must be supported by top management and executed by a dedicated transformation team to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with the company's digital vision. Navigating technological layers for digitalization: Understanding and effectively managing the various technological layers involved in maritime operations, from sensors and OT data capture to cloud infrastructure and the application layer, is essential for digital success. Building a resilient digital foundation: Establishing a robust digital foundation is vital for the long-term success of digitalization efforts. A well-architected digital foundation allows vessel owners and operators to leverage the full spectrum of digital technologies. Introduction to maritime digitalization The maritime industry stands at a pivotal juncture, driven by the dual forces of technological advancement and pressing environmental regulations. As global trade continues to expand, the need for more efficient, sustainable, and resilient maritime operations has never been more acute. The digitalization of maritime operations represents a significant leap forward in addressing these challenges, offering unprecedented opportunities for optimization, innovation, and environmental stewardship. The journey towards digital transformation in the maritime sector is not merely a technological upgrade but a strategic realignment towards a more sustainable and efficient future. The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) ambitious goals for 2030 and 2050, aimed at significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, have placed a spotlight on the industry's environmental impact and its potential for rapid transformation. Digitalization emerges as a crucial lever in this transformation, enabling the industry to meet regulatory demands while enhancing operational efficiency. A key driver of maritime digitalization is the industry-wide push towards decarbonization. With the IMO's regulations setting a clear trajectory towards reduced emissions, maritime operators are increasingly turning to digital solutions to optimize fuel consumption, enhance route planning, and monitor environmental impact. The advent of the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) regulations further underscores the importance of data in achieving these goals. The maxim "the cheapest fuel is the one you do not need to burn" encapsulates the essence of digitalization's role in maritime sustainability: optimizing performance to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption. Digital technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and AI, are transforming vessel operations, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automated decision-making. These technologies not only contribute to reducing emissions but also significantly enhance safety, reliability, and cost-efficiency. The role of top management in digital transformation and crafting a vision The journey of maritime digitalization starts with a strategic vision from the top. Top management's foresight and commitment chart the path towards a future where digitalization is not just about enhancing operational efficiency but also about achieving broader sustainability goals and adhering to evolving requirements like the IMO 2030 and 2050 frameworks. The role of leadership transcends simple endorsement; it involves the active crafting of a vision that integrates digitalization into the fabric of the company's maritime operations. Without a clear mandate and recognition from top management, any real digitalization effort is likely to falter. Leadership commitment and vision crafting Strategic organizational alignment: Successful digital transformation is contingent upon clear organizational alignment and mandate. Top management must ensure that digitalization initiatives are adequately funded and that there is a unified organizational structure ready to support, embrace, and implement the transformation following these efforts. The creation of a dedicated transformation team becomes essential to oversee and enact the required changes. Crafting a vision for digitalization: Far from being a mere formality, establishing a clear and compelling direction for the company's digitalization journey is critical. This vision, originating from top management, serves a critical purpose, guiding the entire organization towards a unified digital future. The organizational element: building a transformation team Central to realizing the vision of maritime digitalization is the formation of a dedicated transformation team. This singular entity is tasked with translating strategic directives into actionable projects and initiatives that align with the company's digitalization goals. While some components are technology-driven in nature, it is easy to overlook the transformational aspects of a digitalization journey. The execution signifies a fundamental shift in how the company operates, driven by the transformation team under the guidance of top management's vision. Empowering the transformation team Role and responsibilities: Tasked with the mission to realize the digital vision, the transformation team dives into both technological and strategic topics, ensuring that digital infrastructure layers are comprehensively understood and designing the overall architecture. Their role is pivotal in navigating the intricacies of digital transformation within the maritime domain of their own company. Research, knowledge, and execution: It is imperative that the team learns and gets a comprehensive understanding of digital technologies, data management practices, and the integration of IoT solutions within maritime operations. They need to learn about the different technology layers and assess how to best puzzle different pieces together to deliver on the mandate and digital vision. Internal transformation: With an intimate understanding of the company's operations, the team is uniquely positioned to ensure that technology implementations foster real adoption and operational improvement as the overall initiative is being executed. Crafting a successful vessel data strategy In the journey towards maritime digitalization, a pivotal element is the creation of a successful vessel data strategy. This strategy is the keystone for transforming vessel operations to drive efficiencies and significantly reduce environmental impact. Grounded in the overarching digital vision, the strategy is tailored by the transformation team to lay a strong foundation right from the start, ensuring long-term scalability and adaptability to future needs and technological advancements across different technological layers. The engagement and commitment of top management are indispensable. As the transformation team dives deeper into the digitalization landscape, understanding how each technological piece fits into the larger puzzle, the unequivocal support from leadership becomes paramount. Understanding the different layers required for vessel digitalization The digital transformation of maritime operations requires a nuanced understanding of the various technological layers involved. For vessel owners, navigating these layers effectively means leveraging best-of-breed solutions at each level, both to optimize results and to retain flexibility for the future. This approach recognizes that no single provider can excel in every aspect of digitalization, underscoring the importance of strategic selection and integration of various technologies from different key partners. For vessel owners, understanding and addressing each of these layers individually, while ensuring they work together cohesively, is crucial for achieving a successful digital infrastructure. The ability to select the best solutions for each layer, from sensors to applications, enables vessel owners to build a digital foundation that enhances operational efficiency and drives innovation. A robust digital foundation is critical for the successful implementation of digitalization initiatives. Conclusion: charting the course for maritime digitalization The journey toward maritime digitalization marks a pivotal era of transformation, offering both significant challenges and unparalleled opportunities. This evolution demands not just technological adoption but a holistic strategic approach, deeply rooted in visionary leadership, a clear and compelling vision, and meticulous planning. As the maritime industry steers through this transformative course, the embrace of digital technologies is set to redefine operational excellence, environmental stewardship, and the very metrics of success within the sector. The future beckons to those ready to lead with innovation, foster collaboration, and invest in the digital capabilities that will sculpt the maritime landscape for generations ahead. In the quest for operational efficiency, sustainability, and competitive edge, maritime digitalization emerges as a strategic imperative. The industry's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions underscores the critical role of digitalization in realizing these ambitious sustainability targets. By enhancing operational efficiencies, reducing fuel consumption, and minimizing emissions, digital technologies are pivotal in steering the maritime industry towards a more sustainable and compliant future. The successful integration of digital technologies into maritime operations hinges on forward-thinking leadership. Executives are tasked with championing digital initiatives, aligning them with strategic objectives, and cultivating a culture primed for change and innovation, while focusing on the holistic big picture. Investment in a proper digital infrastructure lays the foundation for future resilience and growth. About Raa Labs Raa Labs provides vessel data infrastructure for the maritime industry, the independent data layer beneath applications that captures, standardises, and delivers vessel operational data reliably at fleet scale. Working with leading global fleet operators, Raa Labs enables fleets to trust their data in everyday processes and decisions. Raa Labs is based in Norway and is part of the Wilhelmsen Group. --- ### Crafting a successful vessel data strategy > This white paper guides shipping industry decision-makers on building a successful vessel data strategy. It argues that companies must adopt a holistic approach to data management — anchored by a modern IoT Edge platform — to ensure data quality, standardization, and system compatibility. Key recommendations include separating data layers, using dedicated cloud storage, and focusing on the application layer to extract business value. Companies that follow these principles can optimize operations, improve crew performance, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing industry. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/resources/whitepapers/vessel_data_strategy Leveraging vessel data for enhanced decision-making and becoming data-driven with vessel IoT platforms. This white paper is designed for decision-makers, managers, and technology professionals within the shipping industry who are interested in leveraging the power of digital transformation and data-driven decision-making. By reading this comprehensive guide, you will gain valuable insights into the advantages of implementing a state-of-the-art IoT Edge platform, adopting a holistic vessel data strategy, and how working with best-of-breed vendors can assist you to unlock the full potential of your vessel data. With practical recommendations and key principles for a successful vessel data strategy, this white paper will equip you with the knowledge to optimize operations, improve crew performance, drive innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving shipping industry. Executive summary The rapidly evolving landscape of the shipping industry requires companies to adopt a holistic approach to vessel data management, focusing on data quality, standardization, and compatibility across systems. Implementing a state-of-the-art IoT Edge platform is essential for handling data capture, quality, and standardization, ensuring a solid data foundation that enables data-driven decision-making. Separating the data layers and selecting a separate data cloud for storage allows shipping companies to maximize the value of their data and focus on the application layer to unlock its full potential. The key principles for a successful data strategy include assessing and standardizing IoT capabilities, developing a unified data strategy, implementing robust data infrastructure operations, embracing data-driven decision-making, and continuously innovating and adapting. By following these principles and investing in the right technology and infrastructure, shipping companies can optimize operations, improve crew performance, drive innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry. Introduction In today's data-driven world, shipping companies face numerous challenges as they strive to become data-driven organizations. To unlock the full potential of digital transformation, a coherent data strategy, backed by a state-of-the-art vessel IoT platform, is essential. This white paper discusses the importance of a holistic approach to vessel data management for shipping companies, including the advantages of an IoT Edge platform over traditional data loggers, and offers guidance on how to develop and implement a successful data strategy. The value of an IoT Edge platform for vessels Shipping companies looking to become data-driven must adopt a holistic approach to vessel data management. Traditional data loggers are limited in their ability to provide standardized data across the fleet, which is essential for digitalization. A vessel IoT Edge platform, on the other hand, can offer several advantages: Standardization: An IoT platform can standardize data across the fleet, ensuring compatibility across systems and maintaining high data quality standards. This means that regardless of the vessel type or the data sources onboard, the IoT platform can translate and unify the data, making it easily accessible and useful for analysis. Scalability and flexibility: IoT platforms can easily scale to accommodate an increasing number of vessels, onboard systems, as well as other sensors and data sources, ensuring flexibility as the number of use cases grows and evolves. As shipping companies continue to invest in digitalization, the ability to integrate new technologies and onboard more data sources without disrupting existing operations is invaluable. Local data processing: IoT platforms can process data locally on the vessel, allowing the crew to leverage real-time data for various use cases and improving onboard decision-making. By enabling local data processing, IoT platforms can support a wide range of applications, from energy efficiency optimization to predictive maintenance, enhancing vessel operations and crew performance. Remote management and operation of the onboard infrastructure: An IoT platform can be remotely managed, making it easier for shipping companies to monitor and maintain their vessel data infrastructure. This allows for seamless updates, troubleshooting, and support, ensuring that the platform remains up-to-date and secure. By adopting an IoT Edge platform, shipping companies can overcome the limitations of traditional data loggers and benefit from standardized, scalable, and flexible data management. This enables them to make data-driven decisions, optimize vessel operations, improve crew performance, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. A roadmap to a holistic data strategy To transition from digital chaos to a holistic data strategy, shipping companies need to consider the different layers of the data ecosystem and implement a coherent data strategy, adopt a state-of-the-art IoT platform for vessels, select a separate data cloud, and focus on the application layer to maximize value. Define the data layers: Shipping companies should recognize the importance of separating the data layers, ensuring maximum flexibility and security. Key layers include the data generation layer (OEMs and sensor systems), the data processing and standardization layer (IoT platform), the data storage layer (cloud solution), and the application layer (various software solutions and tools leveraging the vessel data). Implement a coherent and holistic data strategy: Shipping companies must first acknowledge the need for a unified data strategy, which will streamline vessel data collection, storage, and analysis, leading to more efficient decision-making and optimized operations. A key element in this data strategy is a diligent focus on data quality and ensuring that data is comparable across vessels. Adopt a state-of-the-art IoT platform for vessels: A state-of-the-art IoT platform is crucial for handling data capture, quality, and standardization, ensuring compatibility across systems and maintaining high data quality standards. Select a separate data cloud for storage: A separate data cloud is essential for securely storing and managing the company's data, allowing for easy access to information, facilitating data analysis and collaboration across the organization. Focus on the application layer to maximize value: With a solid data strategy in place, shipping companies can focus on the application layer to unlock the full potential of their vessel data, tailoring the applications to their use cases, based on their specific needs and objectives, and fostering an environment that supports innovation and continuous improvement. Key principles for a successful vessel data strategy In this section, we present a comprehensive table outlining the key principles that form the foundation of a successful vessel data strategy for shipping companies. For each principle, we offer guidance on how to deliver on them, explain why they are important, and highlight potential pitfalls that companies may encounter. This table serves as a valuable reference for shipping companies aiming to create and execute a data strategy that addresses essential elements and avoids common issues. Key principles for a successful vessel data strategy #1: Prioritize data quality Description: Establish data validation and cleansing processes within the data infrastructure to ensure accurate and consistent data is collected from IoT devices on vessels, which is crucial for effective decision-making. How to deliver on this principle: Implement a sophisticated vessel IoT platform to automate data validation and cleansing processes. Ensure manual intervention, with dedicated personnel interacting with stakeholders to address data quality issues. Why it is important: Ensures accurate and reliable data for decision-making, preventing costly mistakes. Common pitfalls: Inadequate validation processes, leading to poor data quality and errors in decision-making. Discarding poor-quality data instead of addressing the root cause, resulting in a smaller dataset and loss of valuable information. #2: Standardize data across vessels Description: Implement standard data formats and protocols across all vessels, facilitating seamless integration and comparison of data, as well as enabling more efficient analysis and decision-making. How to deliver on this principle: Develop and enforce standard data protocols and formats across the entire fleet. Implement data standardization onboard through the IoT platform, making it usable on board. Why it is important: Streamlines data integration and analysis, improving efficiency and consistency of decision-making. Common pitfalls: Inconsistent data formats across vessels, leading to difficulties in data integration and analysis. #3: Ensure flexibility in data connections Description: Design the data infrastructure to be compatible with a wide range of onboard systems and platforms, as well as protocols, allowing for easy integration of new technologies and data sources as they emerge. The IoT platform should have broad capabilities to capture data from any digital signal and share data locally. How to deliver on this principle: Develop an IoT platform with flexible data connections, allowing for easy integration with various digital signals and local sharing to maximize compatibility and interoperability. Why it is important: Facilitates the adoption of new technologies and data sources, supporting future growth and innovation. Common pitfalls: Relying on proprietary systems, limiting compatibility and flexibility. #4: Capability to work asynchronously Description: The IoT platform must be able to operate within the constraints of maritime, with varying internet connectivity, and buffer data locally when it is not possible to upload to cloud storage. How to deliver on this principle: Implement an IoT platform with asynchronous communication capabilities and local data buffering. Why it is important: Asynchronous operation ensures the IoT platform can function effectively even with intermittent connectivity. Common pitfalls: Relying on synchronous communication, causing disruptions and data loss when connectivity is lost (which often is the case for vessels). #5: Advanced edge capabilities Description: The IoT platform must be able to perform compute, run applications and algorithms, transform the data locally in various ways, prioritize traffic, and adjust sampling rates. How to deliver on this principle: Design and implement an IoT platform with advanced edge computing capabilities, enabling local data processing and decision-making. Why it is important: Edge capabilities allow for faster decision-making and better resource management. In situations without internet access on board, the crew can benefit from locally generated analysis and decision support. Common pitfalls: Failing to leverage edge capabilities, leading to slower response times and inefficient use of resources. Transferring unnecessary data to the cloud puts significant strain on VSAT limitations. Additionally, the crew is often overlooked, whereas they are often the ones that can have the largest impact when acting on data. #6: Build scalability and adaptability Description: Implementing and managing the IoT platform at scale is critical for shipping companies with many vessels and different setups. How to deliver on this principle: Design infrastructure with modular components and scalable cloud resources. Why it is important: Enables the company to implement the solution across their fleet and evolve use cases without being constrained by data infrastructure limitations. Common pitfalls: Inflexible infrastructure that cannot scale or adapt to changing needs. #7: Commit to infrastructure management and uptime Description: Engage a dedicated team or partner to efficiently manage and operate the infrastructure onboard vessels, ensuring uptime and meeting service level agreements (SLAs). How to deliver on this principle: Hire dedicated in-house staff or outsource to a specialist vendor with experience in maritime data infrastructure management. Why it is important: Ensures continuous availability of data and infrastructure, supporting smooth operations and decision-making. Common pitfalls: Insufficient focus on infrastructure management, leading to downtime and operational disruptions. #8: Leverage deep maritime domain expertise Description: Collaborate with experts who possess extensive knowledge of the maritime industry to understand how to work with data as well as operating the infrastructure on board ships. How to deliver on this principle: Partner with companies with extensive maritime domain knowledge, not generalists from outside industries. Why it is important: Domain expertise leads to a better understanding of data and that it can be trusted. Common pitfalls: Ignoring the need for domain expertise, leading to misunderstandings and incorrect interpretations of data. #9: Ensure security measures and compliance Description: Implement robust security measures and adhere to data protection regulations to safeguard sensitive information and maintain the trust of stakeholders. How to deliver on this principle: Develop and enforce strict security policies and procedures, and ensure compliance with relevant data protection regulations. Why it is important: Protects sensitive information, maintains stakeholder trust, and prevents legal and financial repercussions. Common pitfalls: Insufficient security measures or non-compliance, leading to data breaches and loss of trust. #10: Centralize cloud storage for vessel data Description: Utilize a single cloud storage platform for all vessel data to avoid multi-cloud situations, simplifying data management and analysis. How to deliver on this principle: Develop in-house cloud data storage or outsource the cloud data platform layer to a specialist vendor. Why it is important: Facilitates streamlined data management and analysis, reducing complexity and potential errors. Common pitfalls: Fragmented data storage across multiple cloud platforms, leading to inefficiencies and integration challenges. #11: Foster a data-driven culture Description: Encourage a company-wide culture that values and leverages data in decision-making, promoting continuous improvement and innovation. How to deliver on this principle: Implement training programs and promote data-driven decision-making at all levels of the organization. Why it is important: Enables the organization to fully capitalize on the potential of data to drive improvements and innovation. Common pitfalls: Lack of focus on data-driven culture, leading to suboptimal utilization of data in decision-making. By adhering to these key principles and incorporating them into your vessel data strategy, your shipping company can successfully transform the way data is captured onboard vessels, transmitted to the cloud, and used for analysis. Implementing these principles will help you optimize operations, drive innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in the industry. By combining an IoT platform on vessels, standardized data in the cloud, and outsourcing data management to specialized service providers, your company can unlock the full potential of your data while maintaining flexibility and scalability. The advantages of working with best-of-breed vendors Shipping companies must carefully evaluate whether managing different technology layers in-house or outsourcing them to specialized vendors would be the most beneficial approach. In most cases, companies can gain significant advantages by outsourcing the IoT platform, the data cloud layer, and utilizing a combination of third-party and in-house applications. Here, we explore some of the advantages of working with best-of-breed vendors across IoT, cloud, and applications, focusing on data standardization, quality, deep domain experience, continuous service management, and high return on investment (ROI) from having a solid and flexible data foundation. Data standardization, quality, and deep domain experience One of the key advantages of working with a specialized vendor for the IoT platform is their ability to ensure data standardization and quality. Deep domain experience in the shipping industry is crucial in achieving this. A proper data foundation is essential for shipping companies as they expand their data-consuming applications. This involves: Uniform data formats: Vendors with domain expertise can implement uniform data formats across the fleet, making it easier to integrate data from different sources and reducing the complexity of data management. Quality assurance: By utilizing a vessel IoT platform, shipping companies can benefit from built-in quality assurance measures that validate the accuracy and reliability of the data collected, ensuring a high level of data integrity. Continuous improvement: Specialized vendors, with their deep domain experience, are committed to staying up-to-date with the latest industry standards and best practices, which enables them to continuously improve the data standardization and quality processes for their clients. Outsourcing data cloud for storage By working with specialized cloud vendors, shipping companies can ensure secure and scalable data storage, along with easy access to information, facilitating data analysis and collaboration across the organization. Advantages of outsourcing the data cloud layer include: Scalability and flexibility: Cloud storage can easily scale to accommodate the growing amount of data generated by the shipping industry, ensuring that the company's data storage infrastructure can adapt to changing needs. Efficient data sharing and control: A good cloud solution facilitates efficient sharing of data with third parties, including applications, while allowing the shipping company to maintain full control and transparency over what they are sharing. This enables seamless integration of various software solutions and tools, fostering collaboration and innovation across the organization, without compromising data privacy or ownership. Security and compliance: Cloud vendors specialize in providing secure data storage solutions that adhere to industry standards and regulations, giving shipping companies peace of mind. Utilizing a combination of third-party and in-house applications By outsourcing specific applications or leveraging best-of-breed third-party applications, shipping companies can focus on their core competencies and save resources. Benefits of this approach include: Access to expertise: Third-party application vendors often have specialized knowledge and expertise in specific areas, which can enhance the quality and effectiveness of the application. Faster time-to-market: Leveraging third-party applications can help shipping companies implement new solutions more quickly, reducing the time it takes to see a return on investment. Customization: Some third-party applications offer customization options, enabling shipping companies to tailor the application to their specific needs and requirements. High return on investment (ROI) Working with best-of-breed vendors across IoT, cloud, and application layers can result in a high return on investment. Ensuring continuous service management, uptime, and support is vital for a solid and flexible data foundation. This enables companies to: Accelerate digital transformation: With a standardized and high-quality data foundation, shipping companies can more quickly adopt new technologies and applications, driving digital transformation and enhancing their competitive advantage. Scale with the business: A flexible data foundation allows shipping companies to easily scale their data strategy as their business grows, reducing the time and cost associated with implementing new systems or expanding the fleet. Make data-driven decisions: High-quality and standardized data enables shipping companies to make more informed decisions, based on real-time insights and analytics. This can lead to improved operational efficiency, reduced costs, and better overall performance. Rely on service management and support: Best-of-breed vendors ensure continuous service management, uptime, and support, enabling shipping companies to rely on their data infrastructure and focus on their core business activities. Fostering innovation and collaboration Collaborating with best-of-breed vendors can also help shipping companies drive innovation and stay ahead of industry trends. By partnering with these vendors, companies can benefit from: Access to cutting-edge technologies: Best-of-breed vendors often invest in research and development, ensuring that their solutions stay at the forefront of technological advancements. Shipping companies can leverage these innovations to gain a competitive edge in the market. Enhanced collaboration: Working with specialized vendors can foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and learning, ultimately leading to improved decision-making and better overall performance. In summary, working with best-of-breed vendors across IoT, cloud, and application layers can provide shipping companies with numerous advantages, including data standardization, quality, deep domain experience, continuous service management, and high return on investment. Furthermore, partnering with these vendors can drive innovation, foster collaboration, and help shipping companies stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. By leveraging the expertise and resources of best-of-breed vendors, shipping companies can focus on their core business activities while benefiting from a robust and flexible data foundation that supports their digital transformation journey. Conclusion Shipping companies aiming to become data-driven must adopt a holistic approach to vessel data management. Implementing a state-of-the-art IoT Edge platform is crucial for ensuring data quality, standardization, and compatibility across systems. Moreover, by separating the data layers and selecting a separate data cloud for storage, shipping companies can maximize the value of their data and focus on the application layer to unlock its full potential. Following the key principles of assessing and standardizing IoT capabilities, developing a unified data strategy, implementing robust data infrastructure operations, embracing data-driven decision-making, and continuously innovating and adapting will guide shipping companies in their journey towards becoming data-driven organizations. By recognizing the importance of a holistic data approach and investing in the right technology and infrastructure, shipping companies can successfully navigate the digital transformation journey and harness the power of their vessel data. In doing so, they will be able to optimize operations, improve crew performance, drive innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry. About Raa Labs Raa Labs provides vessel data infrastructure for the maritime industry, the independent data layer beneath applications that captures, standardises, and delivers vessel operational data reliably at fleet scale. Working with leading global fleet operators, Raa Labs enables fleets to trust their data in everyday processes and decisions. Raa Labs is based in Norway and is part of the Wilhelmsen Group. --- ## Videos ### Raa Labs Seminar NorShipping 2025 > Full video from our customer seminar during Norshipping 2025 with speakers from Maersk, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Wallenius Wilhelmsen and the Wilhelmsen group. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/videos/seminar-norshipping-2025 --- ### Raa Labs Seminar NorShipping 2023 > Full video from our customer seminar during Norshipping 2023 with C-suite attendees from Wallenius Wilhelmsen talking about how htey are making vessel data a critical enabler for the company´s transformation journey. URL: https://www.raalabs.com/videos/seminar-norshipping-2023 --- ## Team ### Ari Marjamaa Role: CEO Ari is the CEO of Raa Labs. Prior to his role as CEO of Raa Labs, Ari was Chief Transformation Officer in Wallenius Wilhelmsen. Previously, Ari served as a Director within a global maritime management consulting unit in DNV GL. He also has experience from technology investing with a leading Nordic venture capital company, as well as from academia. Ari holds a MSc in Economics from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) and Universität St.Gallen. --- ### Eirik Berteig Role: Head of Strategy Eirik is Head of Strategy at Raa Labs. He began his career as a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), followed by several years in strategy and market analysis at Wallenius Wilhelmsen. He has also held a CFO role at an early-stage technology company before joining Raa Labs. Eirik holds an MSc in Finance from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH). --- ### Robert Steffensen Role: Head of Customer Success Robert brings more than 15 years of experience from the maritime industry, with a consistent focus on project management and customer delivery. At Raa Labs, Robert leads the Customer Success function, ensuring customers achieve real value from their vessel data through structured onboarding, engagement, and follow through. He holds a degree in Systems Engineering from the Norwegian Armed Forces. --- ### Yngvild Slettevold Role: Head of Operations & Support Yngvild Slettevold is Head of Operations and Support at Raa Labs. She joined Raa Labs in 2020 as Customer Success Manager. Prior to Raa Labs, Yngvild held engineering and project roles in the offshore and maritime industry, at AF Gruppen and Subsea 7. Yngvild holds an M.Sc. in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). --- ### Glenn Tvetmarken Role: Head of Platform Engineering Twenty years making critical infrastructure work where it matters most, starting at sea as a Systems Officer aboard Royal Norwegian Navy fast patrol boats, responsible for sensor and weapon systems. Trained as an engineer and shaped by the Norwegian military, Glenn brings both the technical foundation and the operational discipline that critical systems demand, along with a security-first mindset that has stayed with him ever since. Cisco later gave him the commercial edge, translating infrastructure complexity into business value across hybrid cloud and enterprise solutions. Each stop added a layer. At Raa Labs, it all converges. As Head of Platform Engineering, Glenn is responsible for the full edge-to-cloud stack, from the compute running onboard vessels to the data pipelines serving some of the world's largest shipping operators, where the integrity of the data is everything. --- ### Sigbjørn Rudaa Role: Head of Software Sigbjørn leads the software department at Raa Labs. He holds an MSc in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from NTNU and has been with the company since it was founded out of the Wilhelmsen Group in 2018, first as Solution Architect and now as Head of Software Engineering. His team is responsible for making vessel data feel effortless to work with, turning raw sensor streams into the products customers rely on day to day. --- ## Notes for LLMs This file is generated at build time from the Raa Labs CMS and reflects published content at that point. For the most current information, refer to the live pages at raalabs.com or contact post@raalabs.com.