Matson, Inc. has entered into a product agreement with WhaleSpotter Corp to implement an innovative whale detection system created by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). This makes Matson the first container shipping company to utilize this advanced marine protection technology. The WhaleSpotter system, developed with contributions from Matson, employs thermal imaging and AI for 24/7 real-time monitoring to detect whales up to three nautical miles away, enabling vessel crews to adjust their courses and minimize the risk of whale strikes.
In 2023, Matson supported WHOI with a $1 million research grant and provided access to vessels and crews to facilitate the system’s development. Following successful trials of three WhaleSpotter units on its containerships, Matson has ordered four additional units for operations in Hawaii and Alaska. These field deployments have shown that the system can detect surfacing whales from considerable distances and deliver verified alerts within seconds.
Matt Cox, Chairman and CEO of Matson, praised the technology for meeting their zero-false-alert requirements, while Shawn Henry, CEO of WhaleSpotter, highlighted Matson’s collaborative role in refining the system for commercial use. WhaleSpotter, co-founded in 2024, has begun manufacturing its camera units in the USA and plans to expand deployments across various maritime sectors globally.
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