Capital Link Panel Recap: Why Maritime Industry Leaders Urge Getting on the AI Train

At this year’s Capital Link Forum, the panel titled “Digitalization & AI – Transforming Maritime Operations” brought together voices from across the maritime value chain — including shipping companies, technology providers, and regulators — to discuss the accelerating role of artificial intelligence in the industry.

The panel featured Mark O’Neil, President & CEO of Columbia Group and former President of InterManager; Angus Whiston, Revenue Director at DeepSea Technologies; George Novak, Vice President of Commercial at the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR); Tim Ponath, CEO of NSB Group; and Yarden Gross, CEO & Co-Founder of Orca AI. The discussion was moderated by Lars Riisberg, Marine Digital Solutions Executive Director at RINA.

The consensus: AI is no longer a theoretical concept or back-office experiment. It’s becoming an essential part of day-to-day operations at sea and ashore, with early adopters already seeing tangible benefits in efficiency, decision-making, and risk reduction.

From Automation to Augmentation

While early maritime digitalization focused mainly on automating routine tasks, the panel emphasized that AI goes further, enabling real-time decision-making, learning from data, and supporting more complex operational judgments augmenting human roles rather than replacing them.

Orca AI CEO, Yarden Gross, emphasized that distinction:

“It’s not going to replace people. It’s going to extend the work. It’s going to provide a lot of value to them. It’s going to reduce the cost. It’s going to improve their capabilities to make better decisions.”

A Widening Gap in Adoption

Panelists noted that while some shipping companies are already integrating AI for watchkeeping, voyage planning, and back-office operations, others remain hesitant due to regulatory uncertainty, internal resistance, or concerns around data quality. However, the pace of change means that those who lag may find it increasingly difficult to keep up.

AI Starts with Leadership

Another recurring theme was the importance of executive leadership in making AI adoption a strategic priority. Driving real impact with AI starts at the top, with decision-makers who set clear goals, identify where AI can create value, and ensure it’s meaningfully integrated into daily operations. Without leadership buy-in, even the most advanced tools can fall short without clear alignment to business needs.

Data: Barrier or Opportunity?

Despite the momentum, panelists acknowledged that data quality continues to be a barrier. Inconsistent standards, fragmented systems, and limited onboard connectivity still pose real obstacles. Yet many also noted that AI is increasingly capable of improving its own inputs:4 flagging anomalies, learning from edge cases, and cleaning messy datasets at scale.

So Who Will Lead, and Who Will Be Left Behind?

The discussion concluded with a clear takeaway: while challenges remain, the momentum behind AI is undeniable. The next phase of maritime digitalization will focus less on individual tools and more on integrated systems that connect ship and shore, streamlining operations. As AI becomes more embedded across operations, companies willing to adapt and move quickly will likely lead the way — while others may find it increasingly difficult to keep up.