Hefring wins contract to supply IMAS to entire fleet

Icelandic Hefring Marine, a regular Seawork exhibitor, says the agreement ‘marks a significant milestone; in a collaboration that began in 2020, it says, when the Society adopted Hefring’s first IMAS prototype.

Eight vessels currently use the system, and this is set to expand to all 58 rescue boats in the Society’s fleet.

The artificial intelligence system has two main parts: the IMAS Helm, which integrates a vessel’s multi-function display to provide live, data-driven guidance to operators with a focus on optimum speeds and impact monitoring for safer, more efficient navigation; and the IMAS Console, which is a fleet management and analytics platform with real-time monitoring, data analysis and decision-making support.

The software, says Hefring, is specifically designed to reduce accidents and fuel consumption, and as with most AI packages these days, improves the more it is used by learning as it works.

“This decision reinforces our dedication to empowering Redningsselskapet in their lifesaving mission at sea,” said Hefring Marine CEO Karl Birgir Björnsson. “With our technology crafted to enhance maritime safety, we are thrilled to see it play a pivotal role in such vital operations.”

“Through detailed testing and mapping of internal needs, we are positive that the IMAS system will play an important role to meet our strategic goals of optimising fleet utilisation and reducing the carbon footprint of our operations,” said Gorm Hillgaar, Maritime director from Redningsselskapet. 

Last year, the Redningsselskapet saved 30 lives and attended 4,537 incidents with boats in trouble, it says.

Also last year at Seawork, Hefring Marine won an Innovation Award in the Environmental and Renewable Energy category for its EcoSpeed solution. For information about the awards and how to enter this year, click here.