In a recent statement, Eastern Pacific has announced its first class of nine startups for the Eastern Pacific Accelerator powered by Techstars, which were selected from hundreds of worldwide applicants.
The class of startups was selected with careful consideration and input from EPS’ Operations, Marine Technical, Commercial, IT, Fleet Personnel, and Management teams, who would work closely with each startup to test their technologies and accelerate their businesses.
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In particular, the Eastern Pacific Accelerator powered by Techstars is aiming to bring digital, technology-led solutions to problems and challenges that the industry has to face.
Gil Ofer, the head of open innovation at Eastern Pacific Shipping, said that “we see a need for technology to propel the maritime industry forward, especially with a rapidly digitalizing society and an increase in global trade. That means the shipping industry needs to innovate to solve problems such as fuel consumption, operational efficiency, fleet performance, and improving life-at-sea for seafarers – and we are doing just that with the Eastern Pacific Accelerator powered by Techstars.”
The nine startups which selected from hundreds of worldwide applicants, are C-Log, CyberOwl, Enermo Technology, F-drones, Nautilus Labs, QuantShip, Saara, SeaMiles and Volteo Maritime and come from Singapore, Denmark, UK and the US.
EPS further underlined that the nine startups will go through an intensive three-month programme of research and development, mentorship, and collaboration at EPS’ headquarters in Singapore.
Gil Ofer commented that
For these pioneering startups, EPS can provide access to a deep network of industry players, real-world data, and operational insights from our experienced maritime experts that will accelerate the development of their products.
What is more, C-Log has moved its global headquarters to Singapore, while US-based Voteo has spun-off Volteo Maritime as a Singapore company and Nautilus Labs is in the process of establishing a permanent office in Singapore.
It was on February that Eastern Pacific Shipping and Techstars announced that they were to launch the world’s first global MaritimeTech startup accelerator, ‘EPS MaritimeTech Accelerator’ and was expected to be based in EPS’s headquarters in Singapore, which would be the first of its kind to target the maritime industry.
Further to this, 18 companies from the cruise and commercial shipping industry have created the Clean Shipping Alliance 2020 to promote the use of scrubbers to comply with the IMO 0.5% global sulphur cap in 2020. CSA 2020 aims to inform the industry, relevant authorities, organizations and the public about the environmental benefits of scrubbers.
The members of CSA 2020 include Cargill, DHT Holdings, Navig8 Group, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Eagle Bulk Shipping, Frontline, Golden Ocean Group Limited, Blystad Group, Hunter Group ASA, Spliethoff, Star Bulk Carriers, Carnival Corporation, Grimaldi Group, Okeanis Eco Tankers, Oldendorff Carriers, Safe Bulkers, Torm and Trafigura.
