Hrvoje Mihovilović, the founder and CEO of ELNAV.AI, emphasizes a pragmatic approach to integrating artificial intelligence within the shipping industry. He argues that the true value of AI lies in providing tangible assistance to current maritime operations, particularly on the bridge, rather than aiming for complete vessel autonomy.
With over three decades of experience as a master mariner, Mihovilović's perspective is rooted in real-world maritime challenges. He suggests that AI should function as a supportive tool, augmenting human capabilities and improving decision-making processes for crews. This approach focuses on enhancing safety, efficiency, and operational effectiveness through intelligent assistance.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this perspective implies that AI tools are more likely to be deployed as decision-support systems and operational aids in the near term, rather than as replacements for human oversight. This could lead to incremental improvements in route optimization, predictive maintenance, and real-time operational insights, potentially enhancing schedule reliability and reducing transit risks. Forwarders should anticipate AI-driven improvements in vessel performance and communication, but not a rapid shift to uncrewed vessels impacting immediate capacity or routing strategies.
