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and highly practical pathway available sel-specific performance curves, mod- these systems reduce overcorrection,
right now: operational efficiency through ern routing systems can dynamically idle time, and route inefficiencies.
smart systems and sustainable materials. optimize voyage paths. These tools ena-
One of the most impactful areas of ble operators to avoid adverse weather, Greener Below the Waterline
development, is Artificial Intelligence enhance safety and reduce fuel con- The road towards sustainability, how-
(AI) and data-driven predictive analyt- sumption, without physical modifica- ever, should extend beyond software
ics, decision-making and maintenance. tions to the vessel. In an industry where applications. Green materials hold equal
Ships today generate large amounts of minor optimizations yield major environ- importance, especially in marine coat-
performance and structural data. By mental benefits, AI-powered routing is ings. Conventional antifouling paints
training AI models to assess and evalu- rapidly becoming a necessity, especially often include harmful biocides that are
ate this data to identify the early stage as regulatory frameworks like the EU’s released into marine ecosystems. New
of structural fatigue, micro-cracks, cor- Fit for 55 package and the FuelEU Mar- generations of environmentally friendly
rosion and equipment degradation, oper- itime initiative set stringent emissions coatings can eliminate the release of
ators can detect these issues long before limits, aiming to cut GHG emissions from these harmful substances. These mod-
they become failures. This allows main- shipping by at least 55% by 2030 in line ern solutions function to lower hull fric-
tenance procedures to shift from reac- with broader climate targets. tion while stopping biofouling without
tive to predictive, minimizing downtime, Autonomous and semi-autonomous producing substances that harm the
dry-dock visits and costly, fuel-intensive navigation technologies further enhance environment. The immediate and endur-
operations. this effort. By refining how vessels move, ing effects include better fuel consump-
Data-driven decision support systems maneuver, adjust speed and react to tion alongside reduced cleaning require-
are equally critical. By integrating real- maritime conditions and by improving ments together with quantifiable GHG
time weather, ocean currents and ves- safety and human decision-making, emission reductions across the entire
vessel lifespan. A basic surface modi-
fication produces substantial effects
beneath the surface.
Collectively, these developments show a
broader industry shift: the understand-
ing that decarbonization is not a single
breakthrough but a patchwork of inter-
connected innovations, each targeting
a distinct stage of the maritime value
chain. It calls for the same pioneering
spirit that once took us from sail to
steam, and from compasses to satellites.
This time, however, our destination is not
a place, it is a responsibility.
Charting a Sustainable Course
At VANOS S.A., we contribute to this
transition through R&D innovation and
practical implementation, by develop-
ing advanced tools ranging from digi-
tal twins to monitor vessel’s integrity,
develop and support predictive main-
tenance strategies, and extend opera-
tional lifespan to routing technologies,
supporting the advancement of auton-
omous navigation systems. Comple-
menting these technologies, our port-
folio also includes certified eco-friendly
marine coatings already deployed across
commercial fleets. Together with our
extended network of trusted partners
and associates, we provide integrated
solutions that help maritime operators
reduce emissions and navigate a more
sustainable future.

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