Smart Maritime Network, a leading platform for digital transformation in the maritime industry, is pleased to announce the winners of the Standardised Data Innovation Challenge 2023  launched in collaboration with ClassNK.

SDIC’23 was created to support innovation in maritime technology and promote the benefits of standardised data collection and analysis within the sector. The challenge invited individuals and companies from around the world to showcase their solutions to turn vessel operational data into business value, utilising standardised datasets collected from participating shipping companies and stored within the Internet of Ships Open Platform (IoS-OP).

From over 70 applicants, 8 shortlisted finalists were chosen to present their solutions to a panel of high-level judges at the Smart Maritime Network Tokyo conference on 30 August. Judges included representatives from leading Japanese shipping and maritime companies including NYK Line, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), ‘K’ Line, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Itochu, Sumitomo, and Marubeni, as well as Smart Maritime Network and ClassNK. The winning companies were announced at SMAGIC’23 (Smart Maritime Annual Global Innovation Congress) in Copenhagen on 27 September.

The 4 winners are:
First place: Toqua
Second place: CetoAI
Joint third place: Daphne Technology
Joint third place: Zero44

The winners will now become members of the IoS-OP and will work with the consortium to further develop their solutions using actual vessel data from the participating companies. Toqua will also become members of the Smart Maritime Council, a cross industry initiative created to support technology standardisation and interoperability in shipping.

“We’re extremely honoured to be selected as the winner of such a large and international innovation challenge,” said Casimir Morobé, Founder of Toqua.

“For us, it’s a powerful confirmation that the timing of our product is right. Sensor data is becoming the new normal. More and more companies are looking for ways to convert this data edge into fuel savings. We’re glad our efforts in this area are being recognised. We’re super excited to join this prestigious consortium and its standardised data infrastructure. It allows us to bring the decarbonisation potential of our solution to a truly global scale.”

Welcoming the winners as the latest members of the IoS-OP, Fumitaka Kimura, Digital Transformation Manager at ClassNK said; “As one of the founding members of the Internet of Ships Open Platform (IoS-OP), ClassNK is delighted to welcome a new solution provider through the exceptional opportunities presented by SDIC.”

“I firmly believe that IoT data from ships will play a pivotal role in addressing environmental challenges and enhancing shipping efficiency. By embracing the innovative ideas and practices introduced by startups, I eagerly anticipate further growth of data exchange and utilisation in the maritime industry.”