BACKGROUND

The maritime industry operates in an increasingly complex and high-risk environment. Vessels are frequently exposed to threats both from within (crew-related incidents, equipment malfunctions, fire hazards) and from external sources (piracy, robbery, illegal boarding, collisions). Traditional maritime situational awareness systems—such as radar, AIS, and human watchkeeping—are no longer sufficient to proactively detect and respond to modern-day hazards, especially in congested waters or piracy-prone regions. 

With rising global maritime traffic, greater automation on vessels, and evolving geopolitical tensions, there is a pressing need for innovative, integrated systems that enable real-time awareness and predictive insights to mitigate risk. 

SIGNIFICANCE OF PROBLEM

• Piracy and Maritime Attacks: Increasingly sophisticated piracy and robbery tactics, such as blending in with fishing boats or using fast small crafts, have outpaced conventional detection systems. This endangers crew lives and cargo and disrupts operations.
• Onboard Safety Hazards: Slips, trips, exposure to hazardous substances, and equipment-related injuries remain common and can be fatal without rapid intervention.
• Operational Disruption: Incidents at sea, even minor, can cause significant delays, fines, reputational damage, and increased insurance premiums.
• Regulatory Pressure: There is growing pressure from international regulators (IMO, flag states) to enhance safety protocols and ensure accountability, pushing for proactive risk management.

POTENTIAL MARKET SIZE

The global maritime safety market is projected to reach USD 36 to 45 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of ~7 to 9%. This includes solutions across navigation, surveillance, training, and onboard systems. There are over 50,000 merchant ships operating internationally, providing a massive base for hardware/software retrofitting.

Emerging markets (Southeast Asia, Africa, South America) have higher piracy and safety risks, offering strong early adoption opportunities.

EXISTING EFFORTS

• AR/VR training modules for ship crews simulate emergency responses and safety drills.
• CCTV and radar surveillance systems are in use but often disconnected from real-time AI analytics.
• Some AI-powered video analytics systems are emerging, but adoption remains limited due to high cost, integration complexity, and bandwidth issues at sea.
• Vetting tools exist but lack comprehensive, behaviour-based risk assessment and proactive alerting mechanisms