AI Developments in Shipping to Take Center Stage at Posidonia 2026

Organizers’ research shows the industry is trying to strike a balance between faster AI adoption and its longstanding pragmatism.

All newly available Artificial Intelligence (AI) services and products for the maritime sector will be showcased at this year’s Posidonia, as the industry gradually integrates the technology’s capabilities into its day-to-day operations. The shipping industry, traditionally cautious in adopting new technologies, is steadily increasing its use of AI, though not without reservations, according to the findings of a recent Posidonia survey.

Ahead of Posidonia 2026, which will take place from June 1 to 5 at the Metropolitan Expo exhibition center, organizers are seeing growing dialogue among exhibitors and industry stakeholders around AI-based solutions. These applications range from predictive maintenance and fuel optimization to digital compliance and data analytics.

Despite the growing interest, the industry’s overall stance remains measured. Shipping is neither rushing to adopt AI blindly nor standing still.

“Artificial Intelligence is clearly moving from theoretical discussion to operational implementation,” said Theodore Vokos, Managing Director of Posidonia Exhibitions.

“More than 40 Posidonia 2026 exhibitors shared their views on how their businesses are adopting AI as part of our survey. What we are seeing is not uncritical adoption, but a structured process of experimentation. The maritime sector is evaluating AI through the lens of safety, compliance, and return on investment.”

He added: “At a time of intense geopolitical turbulence, shipping is already preparing for what comes next. Posidonia 2026 will be more timely than ever, as it will address a wide range of issues and developments, including the implications of the conflict in Iran. As has been proven before, shipping responds faster than many other industries when faced with challenges, and that is reflected in this year’s survey on AI adoption.”

The responses collected ahead of the exhibition reveal three distinct approaches across the sector: active adopters integrating AI into products and services, companies using it selectively for internal optimization, and others maintaining a more cautious stance while closely monitoring developments.

Classification societies and technology firms are among the fastest adopters. Bureau Veritas sees AI becoming increasingly integrated into route optimization, fuel consumption forecasting, and risk-based inspection frameworks. Through digital tools that combine drone imagery, scanning, and intelligent data processing, AI is improving inspection accuracy while preserving human oversight.

Alex Gregg-Smith, President Marine & Offshore at Bureau Veritas, said: “The adoption of Artificial Intelligence in shipping is progressing steadily and is expected to accelerate as digitalization, decarbonization, and data-driven decision-making become central pillars of maritime operations. Rather than replacing existing practices, AI is increasingly being integrated into practical applications such as route optimization, fuel consumption forecasting, risk-based inspection, and predictive maintenance programs. Regulatory frameworks and the growing availability of real-time vessel data are further supporting this transition.”

Some companies have embedded AI into the core of their operations, such as Nereus Digital Bunkers, an AI-native company. According to Nikola Gikas, Founder and CEO of the company: “Artificial Intelligence is not just another feature we offer. It is a core component of our platform. We are already actively developing our own AI Procurement Advisor, which is currently being piloted by selected clients. It uses large language model technology, combined with specialized maritime and commercial data, to provide relevant and practical insights directly within procurement workflows.”

Nereus also uses machine learning models for price forecasting, enabling clients to anticipate fluctuations in fuel prices by port and make better-timed bunkering decisions, significantly reducing fuel costs.

In the technical services sector, Dynamic Group of Companies is leveraging decades of ship maintenance data to move from reactive repairs to predictive fleet management. By analyzing repair records for hulls and ballast tanks, the company aligns vessel maintenance cycles with both financial performance and environmental targets.

“The maritime industry is adopting Artificial Intelligence at an accelerating pace, driven by immediate compliance requirements related to CII and EU ETS regulations. At Posidonia 2026, we are presenting how the combination of historical data and industrial robotics ensures your fleet remains competitive while also staying compliant,” said Capt. Ioannis Nikolitisis, CEO of Dynamic Group of Companies.

Likewise, Fortune Technologies has integrated AI modules into its corporate software platforms, automating processes and generating operational insights for ship managers. Electropneumatic SA is incorporating AI into its research and development activities, while Endress+Hauser expects accelerated growth in predictive diagnostics and fleet performance monitoring.

At the same time, beyond those embracing new capabilities directly, there are others taking a more restrained approach.

MAS S.A., which operates in advanced automation systems, believes AI adoption will expand mainly in decision-support tools and optimization layers, while core control systems will continue to be constrained by predefined safety and classification requirements. Navigator Shipping Consultants follows a similar approach. While AI already supports emissions monitoring and data analysis, critical operational decisions, especially in emergency situations, remain firmly under human control.

Danae Bezantakou, CEO of Navigator Shipping Consultants, said: “Maritime operations require constant human involvement, direct communication, immediate intervention, and the ability to assess and manage situations case by case. Operational challenges, complex decision-making, and above all emergency situations cannot be handled entirely by platforms or automated systems alone.”

The regulatory dimension is also shaping the industry’s stance. Normec Verifavia, which specializes in emissions verification and auditing, emphasizes the need for traceable and auditable AI frameworks in a highly regulated sector.

Environmental compliance is widely seen as a major driver. Pressures around decarbonization, CII performance monitoring, and EU ETS requirements are accelerating demand for digital tools capable of handling complex datasets and improving efficiency metrics.

In supply and support services, companies such as Royal Blue Logistics and Adamar International Maritime Services report using AI-based tools to improve inventory planning and operational forecasting, while stressing that implementation remains selective.

Taner Topkara, General Manager of Adamar, said: “Artificial Intelligence has become an essential component across most industries, including the maritime sector, and its influence continues to grow. Without eliminating the human factor, Adamar already uses advanced digital technologies and is actively integrating AI-based solutions to meet the sector’s emerging demands, particularly in improving operational efficiency, optimizing supply, and planning inventories for shipping companies.”

Perhaps the clearest conclusion from the survey is that AI will not replace the human element, but strengthen it. From shipyards to inspectors, industry executives stress that maritime operations involve dynamic decision-making in real time and in unpredictable environments. Automation can increase efficiency and reduce risk, but accountability, safety, and operational trust remain fundamentally human responsibilities.