Synergy Marine Group has become one of the first adopters of autonomous vegetable-growing technology onboard ships. A pioneering initiative, which also includes shipowners Eastern Pacific Shipping, Seaspan, Capital Shipping, and CoolCo, has utilised Agwa’s AI-directed cultivation devices with the aim to enhance sustainability and crew wellbeing, the Singapore-based shipmanagement giant said.
Since September, synergy-managed suezmax tanker Effie Maersk has been using Agwa’s units, which are about the same size as standard refrigerators or wine coolers. The self-contained units use artificial intelligence, cameras and sensors to regulate environmental factors such as ultraviolet light, water, fertiliser and temperature. The system is designed to be entirely automated, so the crew need only to monitor the process and occasionally check on the plants’ progress.
“Among today’s increasingly health-conscious mariners, we’re observing a noticeable shift toward healthier, plant-forward eating habits,” said Rajesh Unni, Synergy’s founder and chairman. From three Agwa units, the tanker has up to four bowls of fresh salad per week, along with herbs for seasoning, Synergy noted, adding that it would look to expand the use of these grower units across its managed fleet, which counts over 700 ships.
“This initiative is close to my heart as a fellow seafarer. High-speed internet access and shorter tours of duty are vital for seafarer satisfaction, but I’ve also seen firsthand how important fresh, nutritious food is to morale and well-being onboard,” added Unni.
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