Zelim Advocates for Mandatory Advanced Maritime Safety Technology Following Collision Concerns
EDINBURGH: Maritime safety and security innovator Zelim,headquartered in Edinburgh,is urging global regulators too mandate the adoption of advanced situational awareness technology to mitigate ship collisions,reduce maritime fatalities,and enhance overall operational safety. This call to action comes amidst growing concern over the limitations of human monitoring in modern shipping.
Recent analysis from the Marine Accident Investigations Board (MAIB) in thier 2024 Annual Report highlights the need to reassess the role of human watchkeepers in an increasingly digital habitat. The report states: “we need to radically rethink the role of human watchkeepers in the digital age. Humans do not make good monitors and if under-stimulated,thay will find other things to occupy themselves.”
This point was further underscored by MAIB’s preliminary report on the collision between the container ship MV Solong and the oil tanker Stena Immaculate in the North Sea. The incident, which occurred on March 10, 2025, near the Humber Estuary, resulted in a ruptured cargo tank and a major fire. Thirty-six crew members were rescued, but one seafarer remains missing and is presumed dead.
Zelim CEO, Sam Mayall, emphasized the potential of technology to address these challenges: “By combining AI-powered cameras and real-time alerting, advanced technologies such as our ZOE system can help crews act faster, prevent incidents from escalating, and provide trusted records post-event. Beyond preventing collisions and man-overboard incidents, these systems can also provide critical forensic data to support investigations and regulatory compliance. Crucially, today’s situational awareness technology reduces reliance on human vigilance alone, allowing crews to focus where their judgment and experience matter most.”
Highlighting a proactive approach, India’s Directorate General of Shipping has already mandated CCTV systems on all domestic vessels of 500 GT and above, with full implementation scheduled for 2028. This regulation includes specific requirements for camera placement, resolution, and integration with AI-based monitoring, designed for proactive detection, tracking, and alerting to safeguard lives at sea.
Mayall concluded: “Voluntary measures are no longer enough. To strengthen safety and security at sea, global regulators must follow India’s lead and mandate advanced situational awareness solutions. Smarter ships result in safer sea.”
