Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL) and Fujitsu Limited have announced the start of the operational phase for an AI-powered crew replacement optimization system.
As informed, shipping companies create crew replacement plans by considering factors such as seafarer rank, qualifications, onboard and vacation periods, ship type, and schedule. Previously, MOL relied on personnel to manually extract data from individual databases to create these plans, which took considerable time.
The new system, developed by Fujitsu, uses mathematical optimization to support crew planning by considering multiple factors. Key features include:
- Balancing onboard and vacation periods to ensure even distribution among seafarers.
- Considering personal life events such as weddings and births when planning assignments.
This system aims to improve crew replacement planning, enhancing work-life balance for seafarers through shorter onboard periods and sufficient vacation time. It is expected to reduce schedule creation time by approximately 70%.
Full-scale operation is planned to begin as a trial in Japan in May 2025.
