This early warning system would have provided INEOS with an additional 20 minutes during the APL Mexico allision.” says Benny Van Den Heuvel of INEOS Phenol
Antwerp, [14 January 2025] — INEOS was in need for an advanced early warning system to protect its Phenol jetty on the busy river Scheldt after an allision with the container vessel APL Mexico in December 2019. The challenge was won out of 17 worldwide participants by an experienced maritime consortium that includes the location intelligence expertise of xyzt.ai and the maritime safety and communication expertise of Officers on Watch.
The collaboration is focused on an advanced early warning system that provides real-time monitoring of vessel traffic and radio communications, offering early alerts for potential dangers. Leveraging AI and machine learning algorithms, the system integrates data from multiple sources, including AIS data, VHF radio communication, and emotional cues detected in audio transmissions. This approach allows for a comprehensive risk assessment and proactive safety management.
Rodrigue Bijlsma, Managing Partner at Officers on Watch, emphasizes the importance of the joint effort: " The partnership with xyzt.ai for this complex challenge demonstrated how our two fields of expertise effectively collaborated to detect anomalous vessel movements in real-time, providing the control room with clear Maritime Safety Insights needed for mitigating the dangers of a potential allision.”
Bart Adams, CTO of xyzt.ai, highlights the system’s capabilities: " Thanks to INEOS, we have demonstrated that the system is operational today and can be easily implemented on one of the busiest rivers in the second largest chemical cluster in the world. The easy-to-use interface and lack of false alarms, thanks to our advanced analytics, make it simple to use even for operators without any nautical background.
The early warning system is a standalone solution that can be deployed at any location using existing sensors and operator desks, making it an essential safety feature that cannot be overlooked.
About xyzt.ai xyzt.ai is a Leuven-based SaaS company providing actionable insights through its cloud-based platform for visualizing and analyzing big location data. Their tools support rapid and effective responses to maritime challenges, contributing to safer and smarter port environments.
About Officers on Watch Officers on Watch is an independent maritime intelligence, risk assessment and incident investigation bureau staffed by highly trained maritime specialists with extensive expertise in navigating the complexities of maritime safety and security. Operating globally, OOW specializes in organizing tailored and IALA risk assessments for a wide range of maritime environments, including new shipping routes, VTS, offshore infrastructure, and ports.