Unlocking Maritime Efficiency through Explainable AI

Information Pack

Unlocking Maritime Efficiency through Explainable AI

A Collaborative Project with The Alan Turing Institute

A Non-LLM based AI solution with a primary focus on human trust.

Continuing to shape the evolution of digital technologies through Explainable AI for Maritime (XAIM).

Building the bridge between powerful optimisation and human trust—empowering captains and shore-side teams to see not just the “where,” but the “why” behind our voyage optimisation decisions

This is ‘AI in the loop’ of human decision making.

The XAIM reporting solution

XAIM is designed to help vessel captains not just receive but fully understand and trust the decisions our software recommends.

This initiative is being delivered through a four-phase R&D programme in collaboration with The Alan Turing Institute.

Phase 1 completed 2024, phase 2-4 completion January 2026.

Industry Challenge – The Trust Gap

AI-driven voyage optimisation can cut fuel use, emissions, and boost efficiency, but many captains remain wary due to:

Experience vs. Algorithm:

Captains trust their seasoned judgement over “black box” AI that may contradict intuition, especially in complex conditions.

Transparency and Explainability:

Without clear explanations for route or speed changes, AI suggestions feel hard to trust.

Operational Accountability:

Captains are legally responsible for safety, so relying on AI feels risky in dynamic or crowded waters.

Change Management and Culture:

The conservative maritime sector needs time, training, and mindset shifts to integrate AI into daily operations.

Experience vs. Algorithm:

Captains trust their seasoned judgement over “black box” AI that may contradict intuition, especially in complex conditions.

Transparency and Explainability:

Without clear explanations for route or speed changes, AI suggestions feel hard to trust.

Operational Accountability:

Captains are legally responsible for safety, so relying on AI feels risky in dynamic or crowded waters.

Change Management and Culture:

The conservative maritime sector needs time, training, and mindset shifts to integrate AI into daily operations.

Theyr’s Solution – Human Centred AI

To accelerate the adoption of our AI optimisation solutions we are creating a unique tool that will help build trust between the human operators and the AI, a tool as an assistant to augment a more natural relationship and understanding.

This interactive, ‘AI in Loop’ layer within T.VOS converts complex algorithms into actionable and understandable insights.

XAIM:

The Why: Translate route logic into natural, readable language.

The Where: Visualise feature influence across each voyage segment.

The Who: Capture and integrate captains feedback while recognising the opportunity for ‘human in the loop’ exchanges.

As part of an ongoing partnership

Our partnership with the Alan Turing Institute has helped deliver the widely adopted T.VOS technology and this partnership continues with XAIM—a new explainable AI project.

As part of an ongoing partnership

Sizhe Yuen (PhD)

is a researcher on the Splunk AI Data Engineer project at the Alan Turing Institute, which aims to scale up the development of data engineering models. His PhD at the University of Southampton studied the use of epigenetics in genetic algorithms for optimisation.

Cody Kommers (DPhil)

is a research associate studying how insights from the social and behavioural sciences that can help develop better human-AI teams, and how insights from the humanities can help develop more robust definitions of ‘better’.

Alice Budden (PhD)

is a research project manager at the Alan Turing Institute. She is responsible for the project planning, resource management, reporting, event coordination, and stakeholder engagement of projects under the sustainability mission of the institute.

Prof. Adam Sobey

is the Programme Director of Data-Centric Engineering at The Alan Turing Institute and Professor of Data-Centric Engineering in the Maritime Engineering group at the University of Southampton. Non-Executive Director at Theyr.

Przemyslaw Grudniewski (PhD)

is a Senior Applied Scientist at Theyr where he is responsible for development of AI-based solutions within T.VOS voyage optimisation technology and integration of vessel’s digital twins.

Dr. Anton Alexander (PhD)

is CTO of Theyr. He holds a PhD in theoretical physics on deterministic chaos and turbulence in the self-gravitating gas of the early Universe. In addition to management and coordination of technical processes at Theyr Ltd, he is also responsible for metocean data assimilation/processing, software architecture and complex algorithmic solutions in the company.

Why Now?

Maritime decarbonisation is accelerating, driven by stricter regulations and ESG demands — making compliance a strategic must.

AI transformations in maritime require trust through transparency to deliver change at scale.

XAIM + T.VOS merge human intuition with AI, building trust and delivering clear, measurable gains.

Partner Benefits:

First-Mover Advantage with Low Risk

Early adopters access cutting-edge AI with minimal upfront cost, flexible licensing, and low risk.

Brand Equity and Investor Confidence

Showcase maritime innovation and ESG leadership, backed by The Alan Turing Institute’s credibility.

Strategic Digital Transformation

XAIM drives long-term cost savings, risk reduction, and digital maturity at fleet scale.

Operational Cost Savings

More efficient routing decisions, informed by explainable AI. Translating to reduced operational expenditures (OPEX).

Direct ESG and Compliance ROI

Lower emissions and fuel use to meet mandates and qualify for green incentives and funding.

First-Mover Advantage with Low Risk

Early adopters access cutting-edge AI with minimal upfront cost, flexible licensing, and low risk.

Brand Equity and Investor Confidence

Showcase maritime innovation and ESG leadership, backed by The Alan Turing Institute’s credibility.

Strategic Digital Transformation

XAIM drives long-term cost savings, risk reduction, and digital maturity at fleet scale.

Operational Cost Savings

More efficient routing decisions, informed by explainable AI. Translating to reduced operational expenditures (OPEX).

Direct ESG and Compliance ROI

Lower emissions and fuel use to meet mandates and qualify for green incentives and funding.

XAIM isn’t just R&D—it’s a strategic lever to cut costs, reduce risk, and drive maritime digital transformation.

Define the next chapter in maritime optimisation.

Join us in shaping a future where AI is not only smart—but explainable, intuitive, and trusted by those who rely on it every day.

“After a decade of pioneering optimisation science, one truth is clear: the more advanced our AI becomes, the more vital it is to build trust with human operators.”

— David Young, CEO & Founder

“Together with The Alan Turing Institute, we’re advancing human-in-the-loop AI—transforming operations, building confidence, and unlocking lasting value across the maritime sector.”

— Peter Mantel, Chief Commercial Officer