With the maritime industry responsible for 3% of global CO2 emissions, stakeholders are in a race against time to meet the International Maritime Organisation's 2050 net-zero emissions target. Despite these urgent environmental goals, many ports still rely on outdated manual processes and paper-based systems for critical tasks such as pilotage and towage planning. This reliance not only introduces inefficiencies but also hampers the potential for data-driven decision-making, making it increasingly difficult for the industry to catch up with its sustainability objectives.

Innovez One offers a state-of-the-art Port Management Information System that integrates services comprehensively and leverages AI for real-time data and optimisation. It streamlines port call operations such as nautical services scheduling, berth allocation, and billing, helping customers efficiently manage marine resources and facilities, significantly reducing vessel turnaround times.

Their proprietary AI-based software solution, marineM, allows for the real-time hiring of pilots, tugboats, and mooring services via mobile devices, complete with automated billing and instant updates. By transitioning from manual to digital systems, Innovez One not only streamlines port operations but also enhances transparency and sustainability within the industry.

The Founding Story

Innovez One was founded by David Yeo, who initially explored various markets, including RFID software and timetabling solutions before discovering his product market fit in maritime. A pivotal opportunity had emerged with PSA Marine, allowing Innovez One to showcase the value of digital transformation in a sector traditionally reliant on manual methods. During this time, David observed that many ports still used manual processes like large whiteboards for planning, which highlighted the critical operational inefficiencies prevalent in the industry.

Fig. 1. Founder and CEO of Innovez One, David Yeo.

In 2016, David launched marineM, shifting Innovez One's focus from diverse projects to a dedicated mission: modernising the maritime industry. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, marineM was designed to streamline port call operations and replace outdated practices. This initiative was fueled by David’s vision to not only enhance port operations but also to provide a comprehensive solution addressing the unique challenges faced by the maritime sector.

Early Beginnings

Innovez One's early journey was fraught with challenges as they tackled the intricacies of the maritime tech sector. Securing their first contract with PSA Marine in Singapore marked a significant milestone. However, David and his team soon realised the importance of expanding their reach beyond Singapore and major ports. They developed a scalable commercial model, tailored specifically to address the unique inefficiencies of small and midsize ports, which, despite fewer port calls, suffered from similar operational challenges as larger facilities.

To validate this hypothesis, the team engaged extensively with industry stakeholders and conducted thorough market research. By securing paid project implementations, Innovez One gained invaluable real-world insights, learning directly from practical applications. This hands-on approach not only confirmed their hypothesis but also provided essential feedback that refined their solutions, ensuring they addressed the industry's genuine needs and equipped the team with the foresight to anticipate future challenges.

From a development perspective, David drew on his experience in his previous institutional timetabling business, where the optimisation typically involved just a few key considerations. In contrast, the maritime sector requires managing and optimising multiple moving parts, such as pilots, tugboats, loading masters, and mooring teams, in every port call. This increased complexity necessitated a sophisticated and scalable solution. Recognising this, Innovez One prioritised creating a stable yet flexible platform with a system that is highly configurable for rapid scale and to suit each client’s unique needs, showcasing their true competitive edge.

Fig. 2. Screenshot of Innovez One’s AI-based Nautical Services Job Planning System, which helps to efficiently schedule and coordinate the work of pilots, tugboats, pilot logistics, and mooring jobs.

Growth and Evolution

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Innovez One demonstrated remarkable adaptability. Faced with budget constraints and remote work limitations, the team adopted a decisive online marketing strategy. They built a strong international brand presence through thought-leadership articles, speaking opportunities, and press releases on platforms like Port Technology International, solidifying their brand credibility and establishing a robust inbound lead generation strategy, enabling them to gain recognition beyond Singapore waters.

Following this, Innovez One achieved significant milestones by working with over 10 ports in regions beyond Southeast Asia (SEA), including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. Notably, their engagements include the Port of Cork, Portsmouth International Port, and Port of Jersey. This global reach and proven track record underscore their ability to translate a deep understanding of the global maritime industry's needs into impactful products, showcasing their versatility and effectiveness in entering new markets.

Overall, Innovez One has significantly reduced vessel waiting times, optimised nautical services with 20% - 30% reductions in tugboat travel distances, resulting in substantial cost savings and increased client satisfaction. A key success story involves a major port that saw dramatic improvements in efficiency after implementing marineM. The port experienced a drastic 78.8% reduction in vessel waiting times, leading to SG$ 240,000 in annual savings due to optimised usage of tugs and pilots and fewer incidents of tug misuse.

Fig. 3. Screenshot of Innovez One’s Pilot App, available on both iOS and Android devices. The Pilot App is one of the many marineM applications supporting task dispatch from the Nautical Services Planning System, greatly simplifying real-time reporting of pilotage movements with a simple swipe.

Innovez One's comprehensive optimisation capabilities distinguish them in the industry, offering a wide range of services such as pilots, tug boats, mooring, pilot logistics, loading master coordination, and mooring team management. Their proprietary AI-based automation system minimises human error and enhances operational efficiency, surpassing traditional industry standards.

Fig. 4. Screenshot of Innovez One’s scenario-based berth planning solution, marineM, which assists customers in planning vessel berth allocations. The tool considers various constraints, such as vessel length overall (LOA) versus berth length and berth depth. It simplifies the complexities of berth planning into just a few simple clicks.

Looking Ahead

Innovez One continues to push the boundaries of maritime technology with plans to expand into predictive analytics and machine learning. These advancements are designed to refine decision-making processes, enhancing both efficiency and sustainability. Their active participation in international standardisation efforts for port call optimisation ensures their solutions stay at the forefront of industry developments.

Looking forward, Innovez One aims to make intelligent port management solutions a standard in the maritime sector. They plan to extend their product suite to support Just-in-Time (JIT) arrivals, which will reduce waiting times and CO2 emissions, thereby improving global maritime logistics efficiency. They are also focusing on digitalising husbandry services at ports—a critical yet often overlooked aspect of port operations. This initiative aims to further reduce vessel turnaround times and enhance overall port efficiency, aligning with the industry's goals of greater transparency and sustainability. Currently, Innovez One is in discussions with a key player to develop an online platform that will revolutionise these services. They are excited to reveal more details in the near future.

As the maritime industry continues to evolve, Innovez One remains committed to driving innovation and embracing new opportunities. They invite partners, clients, and investors to join them in shaping the future of maritime technology. For more information, visit their website or connect with them via LinkedIn.