Press Release: Cargo Fire Initiative selects Envision-Sys to advance maritime safety through fire detection in container ship cargo holds

London – December 13th, 2023 – Safetytech Accelerator, in collaboration with Anchor Partners, Evergreen and Ocean Network Express (ONE), in the Cargo Fire & Loss Innovation Initiative (CFLII), is pleased to announce Envision-Sys as the first technology provider to be selected for evaluation of its technology to address ‘early-stage fire detection in cargo holds of containerships’.

Launched in February 2023 by Safetytech Accelerator, CFLII, brings together industry leaders, technology innovators, and maritime stakeholders to advance technologies that mitigate large-scale cargo fire, loss, and damage at sea. Aligned with the objective of enhancing shipping’s reputation as a safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible link in the global supply chain, CFLII currently includes leading shipping companies and maritime insurers as its Anchor Partners.

In its inaugural year, CFLII focused on identifying and assessing novel technologies designed to monitor onboard cargoes, emphasising early-stage fire detection. After validating these solutions, the initiative aims to promote their adoption by shipping companies. Safetytech Accelerator evaluated over 200 detection technology companies, selecting 13 to join the technology ecosystem. From this select group, Envision-Sys is the first to be invited to participate in an evaluation phase, which encompasses feasibility studies and pilot programs in collaboration with CFLII Anchor Partners.

Envision-Sys’s Innovative Technology

Envision-Sys is pioneering an innovative approach to early fire detection that analyses Wi-Fi signals with proprietary AI as they pass through the air to detect changes in environmental conditions, such as   air temperature, fire, or the presence of certain gasses. The aim of the evaluation is to assess how effectively this technology would be able to detect and localize temperature changes in a cargo hold which could form the basis of an improved early warning system on a ship.

“Being selected for the evaluation is a privilege, and we are enthusiastic about contributing to a project that seeks to innovate in addressing the critical issue of fire prediction within cargo holds. By harnessing cutting-edge sensor technologies, like those developed by Envision, to foresee and avert fires, we can enhance the safety of maritime shipping services.”. – Aruna Seneviratne, CEO of Envision-Sys

Dr Maurizio Pilu,  Managing Director at Safetytech Accelerator, met with Aruna Seneviratne, CEO of Envision-Sys in Sydney on the 29^thOctober.

The evaluation

CFLII adopts an agile and highly collaborative approach to evaluate new technologies. The evaluation of Envison-Sy’s technology will initially consist of a feasibility study in a simulated setting in collaboration with Anchor Partners, including ship visits and the planning of trials.  If successful, this will be followed by lab testing and eventually trials on one or more of the Anchor Partner’s cargo ship.

“Safetytech Accelerator is proud to lead the Cargo Fire & Loss Innovation Initiative, fostering collaboration among industry leaders and technology innovators. This partnership with Envision-Sys reflects our commitment to working with cutting-edge solutions for early-stage fire detection in cargo holds to enhance maritime safety and sustainability.”  Rich McLoughlin, CFLII Programme Director

For details on the technology and its maritime applications, please contact us at info@safetytechaccelerator.org.

>>>  ENDS

Notes to editors

About Envision-Sys

Envision-sys, is an Australian company that offers innovative environmental solutions that utilize a blend of artificial intelligence (AI) and wireless signal technologies. The company’s roots can be traced back to extensive research in wireless sensing and communication conducted at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney. This research led to breakthroughs in utilizing the distinct variations in wireless signal propagation to monitor environmental conditions. A notable application of Envision-sys’s system was its successful implementation in detecting fires within the Sydney Harbour Tunnel.

About ONE

Ocean Network Express (ONE) was incepted on July 7, 2017 following the liner service integrations of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK). The new entity functions from its global headquarter in Singapore, supported by regional headquarters in Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States and Brazil. Operating more than 220 vessels, it offers an expeditious and a reliable international network of over 170 services to 120 countries and beyond. ONE is the world’s sixth largest container carrier with a fleet size of approximately 1.69 million TEU. ONE is a member of THE Alliance (THEA), a global ocean carrier consortium. For more information, please visit www.one-line.com.

About Safetytech Accelerator

Safetytech Accelerator, established by Lloyd’s Register, is the first fully dedicated technology accelerator focused on advancing innovation in safety critical industries, with a mission to make the world safer, more resilient, and more sustainable through the wider adoption of technology.

CFLII Full list of members.

Cosco Shipping Lines, Evergreen, HMM, Lloyds Register, Maersk, Ocean Network Express, Offen Group, Seaspan, TT-Club and UKP&I.

Read more about the initiative here.