Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL) and Fujitsu Limited have introduced an AI-powered crew replacement optimization system to streamline crew planning processes in shipping companies. This system utilizes mathematical optimization to consider various factors such as seafarer rank, qualifications, onboard and vacation periods, ship type, and schedule. Previously, MOL had to manually extract data from different databases to create crew replacement plans, resulting in significant time consumption.
The new system developed by Fujitsu aims to enhance crew replacement planning by ensuring a balanced distribution of onboard and vacation periods among seafarers. It also takes into account personal life events like weddings and births when assigning crew members to ships. The ultimate goal is to improve work-life balance for seafarers by reducing onboard periods and providing adequate vacation time. This system is projected to reduce schedule creation time by approximately 70%.
The operational phase for this AI-powered crew replacement optimization system is set to commence as a trial in Japan in May 2025. By implementing this system, shipping companies like MOL can improve efficiency in crew planning processes, resulting in enhanced work-life balance for seafarers. The utilization of mathematical optimization ensures that crew assignments are made considering multiple factors, ultimately benefiting both the crew members and the company.
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