Wireless IoT in Maritime: The Future of Safety and Efficiency

ScanReach CEO Sven Brooks sets out how IoT and wireless technology is reshaping safety and operational efficiency
in the maritime industry.

The maritime industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by digitalisation, automation, and regulatory demands. Wireless IoT technology is central to this shift, offering significant advantages in safety, operational efficiency, and sustainability. As vessels become more complex and crews smaller, real-time data and seamless connectivity are no longer optional—they are essential.

Enhancing Safety with Real-Time Connectivity

Maritime environments pose inherent risks, with crew members often working in isolation or hazardous conditions. Wireless IoT enables real-time personnel tracking, ensuring immediate response in emergencies. Unlike wired systems, which can be disrupted by damage or system failures, wireless mesh networks are self-healing, automatically rerouting data if a node goes offline.

Beyond crew tracking, wireless sensors monitor fire risks, gas leaks, structural integrity, and environmental conditions, providing instant alerts for preventive action. These systems make vessels safer by delivering continuous, high-quality safety insights.

Driving Operational Efficiency and Sustainability

With growing pressure to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact, real-time monitoring of fuel, energy, and power consumption is critical. Wireless IoT provides continuous data to optimise propulsion, onboard systems, and auxiliary power usage. Unlike wired networks, which are costly and difficult to modify, wireless solutions allow rapid deployment of new sensors as operational needs change.

A successful example is NYK Line’s use of battery-powered IoT sensors and low-power wireless links to monitor cargo holds 24/7 without costly vessel modifications. This proved that wireless networks enhance safety and efficiency while lowering operational costs.

Cargo and engine condition monitoring also benefit from wireless networks, enabling predictive maintenance that reduces unplanned downtime. By providing instant access to vessel performance metrics, shipowners can make data-driven decisions to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Wireless: The Foundation for AI and Automation

The increasing use of AI in predictive analytics, emissions tracking, and autonomous operations depends on continuous, high-quality data. Wireless IoT is the only scalable solution capable of supporting real-time data exchange without expensive retrofits or complex rewiring.

As ships integrate AI-driven maintenance, route optimisation, and smart monitoring, wireless technology allows for real-time adaptability, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. Bureau Veritas has already granted type-approval to wireless sensor-based vessel monitoring systems, demonstrating growing class society support.

Moving Beyond Wired Limitations

Traditional wired infrastructure presents key challenges:
• High costs – Installing and maintaining cabling is expensive and disruptive.
• Limited scalability – Wired systems lack flexibility for new applications.
• Environmental impact – Cabling requires plastics, copper, and aluminum, adding weight and material waste.

Wireless technology eliminates these issues, providing a more cost-effective, flexible, and sustainable alternative.
The American Bureau of Shipping’s Guide for Smart Functions further encourages shipowners to integrate wireless digital technologies aboard vessels.

A Transformation Already Underway

Wireless IoT is not a future concept—it is available and deployable today. The shift is already happening, with class societies, shipowners, and regulators recognizing wireless connectivity as a superior choice for critical applications.

Ships must operate with continuous, real-time data exchange to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance and wireless mesh networks offer a reliable, resilient, and future-proof alternative to traditional cabling. The industry must now act swiftly to embrace this transformation. For years, maritime operators have been cautious about new technology, but wireless IoT has proven itself as a reliable, scalable, and cost-effective solution. With a growing track record of success and increasing regulatory support, cables are becoming obsolete, and wireless connectivity is defining the future of maritime IoT.

ScanReach is transforming the maritime industry with Onboard Wireless Connectivity (OWC)—a purpose-built mesh network that brings real-time data to every part of the vessel, without the need for cabling. Headquartered in Bergen, Norway, ScanReach delivers innovative wireless solutions for crew safety, cargo monitoring, fuel and emissions tracking, and data acquisition. By enabling smarter, safer, and more sustainable shipping, ScanReach is redefining what’s possible at sea.

This article was published by Ship Management International in March 2025 and featured in their exclusive CEO Column, which brings exclusive insights from some of the most influential leaders in the industry.