On the occasion of World Maritime Day, Anglo-Eastern is delighted to spotlight four exploratory projects developed by cadets at our in-house maritime academy, Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy (AEMA).
Spanning shipboard anomaly prediction, energy saving, energy generating, and ballast water quality testing, each project was conceived and executed under faculty guidance as part of AEMA’s technical training curriculum. Some are already in use in our classrooms and campus, while others are undergoing active development and testing. Together, they represent promising ideas and preliminary models that have the potential to evolve into the next generation of maritime solutions – designed by aspiring seafarers, for the future of shipping.
Anomaly prediction by machine learning
This project introduces a predictive maintenance system using machine learning (ML) to forecast machinery faults before they occur, thereby improving operational safety and protecting the marine environment. Currently integrated into classroom simulations at AEMA, it helps cadets understand fault detection and condition monitoring in real time.
How it works
The system is trained on real-world case studies based on operational data from ships that have experienced faults, analyses patterns using multiple ML models, and predicts potential failures, helping crews respond before issues occur.
Multiple ML models and prediction algorithms are used to help reduce errors and improve reliability. A live dashboard alerts the crew and links each alarm to a relevant case study, enabling proactive troubleshooting.
What it means
- Our ocean: The project reduces the likelihood of incidents including oil spills or emissions spikes by identifying faults early.
- Our obligation: It supports safe, compliant operations through data-driven decision-making.
- Our opportunity: A highly valuable tool for fault finding and preventive maintenance on board which supports the safety and reliability of ship operations.
Real-time energy efficiency dashboard
LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is a wireless communication protocol designed specifically for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. A shipboard energy consumption monitoring system has been developed using LoRaWAN technology to collect live data from energy monitoring devices installed across the vessel. The dashboard has been deployed at AEMA for campus energy conservation, demonstrating practical applications of smart monitoring technology.
How it works
Wireless sensors track fuel consumption, generator load, propulsion efficiency, and CO₂ emissions. Data is transmitted to a central LoRaWAN gateway and visualised on the real-time dashboard, allowing crews to optimise operations instantly.
By enabling long-range, low-power wireless communication, the system enables seamless integration of multiple monitoring points without extensive cabling. This empowers crews to identify inefficiencies, balance loads, and optimise machinery operation instantly. The system is intended to help reduce fuel consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and compliance with IMO decarbonisation goals, all while supporting sustainable operations.
What it means
- Our ocean: The system is set to reduce emissions and pollutants that harm marine ecosystems.
- Our obligation: It empowers crews to make informed decisions and to optimise vessel operations, thereby meeting IMO decarbonisation targets.
- Our opportunity: It enables cost-effective, scalable energy monitoring across vessels, utilising smart communication systems to improve efficiency and safeguard the ocean.
Sand battery
A completed and trialled energy storage system that captures and stores waste heat from ship engines, boilers, and solar panels, the innovative solution uses heated sand as a thermal battery.
How it works
Waste heat is stored in sand beds at high temperatures, where the sand acts as a thermal battery holding the energy for an extended period. When needed, air is circulated through the sand to release thermal energy, powering ship systems and extending operational range.
What it means
- Our ocean: The installation cuts fuel use and CO₂ emissions, reducing ocean acidification, helping safeguard marine ecosystems from climate change impact.
- Our obligation: The installation reclaims energy that would otherwise be lost. It aligns with our duty to reduce our carbon footprint, directly supporting IMO’s decarbonisation targets.
- Our opportunity: Demonstrating an innovative solution to preserve energy, the installation turns an overlooked byproduct – waste heat – into a valuable asset.
Eco-One ballast water quality tester
Ballast water is essential for vessel stability but can introduce invasive marine pathogens when discharged in different locations, threatening local ecosystems. The IMO Ballast Water Management Convention mandates treatment of ballast water to prevent environmental harm.
Although various technologies are in place and being used extensively across the industry, there are limitations and side effects, and filters are prone to clogging, especially in muddy ports, making operation unreliable.
Based on the new Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) Eco-One launched by the company Echchlor, a chemical injection BWMS that uses Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2) as an oxidiser to disinfect the ballast water and eliminate microorganisms, a prototype tabletop model is being developed by our cadets to display both ballasting and de-ballasting operations along with the chemical injection process. Our cadets are actively developing and testing the concept.
How it works
ClO₂ is produced onboard by mixing sulphuric acid and purate (a blend of sodium chlorate and hydrogen peroxide), then injected into the ballast line to disinfect the ballast water. When discharging ballast water, the treated water is released overboard after a required holding time to ensure disinfection. ClO₂ concentration is controlled via a flow control valve and monitored with an optical analyser. The system maintains a set ClO₂ dosage (4.25 mg/L), and residual ClO₂ must be below 0.2 mg/L before discharge.
Water samples are taken from different tank depths to verify disinfection and compliance before discharge. The system eliminates the need for filters and harmful chemicals, and works in both fresh and seawater. Sampling points ensure compliance with discharge standards.
What it means
- Our ocean: The system prevents the spread of invasive species and protects biodiversity.
- Our obligation: It complies with the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention using safer, more sustainable methods.
- Our opportunity: The installation offers a flexible, low-impact solution adaptable to diverse trading routes.
Looking ahead
The aforementioned initiatives exemplify our commitment to sustainability, safety, and innovation – values that resonate deeply with this year’s IMO theme: “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.” At Anglo-Eastern, we are dedicated to cultivating innovation and environmental stewardship. As we celebrate World Maritime Day 2025, we reaffirm our belief that the ocean is not only our workplace, but our shared responsibility. By empowering cadets to think boldly and build sustainably, we are investing in a future where maritime excellence and ecological integrity go hand in hand, building a mindset that flows through our culture and continues to drive us forward in shaping a better maritime future.
If you are interested in knowing more about our services and offerings, including but not limited to ship management, crew management, newbuilding services, and innovative projects onboard our managed fleet, feel free to contact us.
