Why AI Alone Can’t Keep Ships Afloat
The Limits of AI in Maritime Safety
Artificial intelligence may be transforming industries from healthcare to finance, but when it comes to keeping massive cargo ships and tankers seaworthy, human expertise remains irreplaceable. That’s the message from CMT, a maritime technology firm warning against over-reliance on AI for vessel condition monitoring. While algorithms can crunch vast datasets, they lack the intuition, sensory perception, and mechanical instincts of seasoned engineers.
“AI can’t smell burning oil or hear a suspicious engine knock—those are human skills,” says CMT’s Managing Director. “No algorithm replaces decades of hands-on experience.”
The Human Edge in Mechanical Diagnosis
CMT’s stance isn’t Luddite resistance—it’s pragmatic. The company acknowledges AI’s potential in processing diagnostic data but insists on human validation, especially for complex vessels. Their monitoring devices deliberately avoid AI, using simpler algorithms to interpret data while leaving nuanced judgments to engineers. The reason? Costly sensor networks still can’t replicate a technician’s “gut feeling” when diagnosing subtle mechanical issues.
Consider a scenario where vibration sensors detect minor anomalies. AI might flag it as low priority, but a veteran engineer—drawing on past encounters with similar patterns—could recognize it as an early warning of catastrophic failure. That difference underscores why CMT advocates for AI as an assistant rather than an authority.
The Hybrid Future of Ship Maintenance
Looking ahead, CMT envisions a collaborative model: AI and sensors continuously monitor ships during voyages, flagging potential issues for shore-based human teams. Repairs would then be handled by mobile crews when vessels dock. This approach could reduce at-sea emergencies while preserving the critical human role in decision-making.
However, challenges loom. Effective AI requires massive, diverse datasets—something the maritime industry lacks compared to other sectors. Energy demands for advanced systems also pose hurdles, especially on older vessels. And as CMT notes, even the smartest algorithm can’t improvise solutions when facing novel problems at sea.
Augmenting, Not Replacing
The takeaway isn’t to abandon AI but to deploy it wisely. “This is about augmentation,” emphasizes CMT. AI excels at spotting patterns in structured data, while humans handle ambiguity and sensory inputs. Together, they could reduce downtime and improve safety—but only if the industry resists the temptation to automate away hard-won expertise.
For now, the most seaworthy approach blends silicon and synapses. Because when you’re miles from shore with a malfunctioning engine, you’ll want more than an algorithm on your side.
