ZeroNorth Launches Propel, an Agentic AI Partner for Maritime Operations
ZeroNorth has unveiled Propel by ZeroNorth, a new agentic AI solution designed to support maritime operations by automating repetitive operational tasks and enabling operators to focus on higher-value decision-making.
Announced in Copenhagen, Propel launches with a voyage optimisation agent and will gradually expand to support voyage, vessel, and fuel operations. Leading shipping companies Cargill, Ultrabulk, and CMB.TECH have joined the initiative as launch partners and early-access customers.
The introduction comes as shipping companies face increasing operational complexity driven by geopolitical uncertainty, evolving regulations, and fluctuating fuel prices. Managing these challenges often requires operators to coordinate decisions across fleets, vessels, and multiple disconnected systems. According to ZeroNorth, improving this coordination can generate significant operational and fuel-efficiency gains.
Moving Beyond Recommendations
ZeroNorth describes Propel as a step beyond traditional software tools that provide recommendations and analytics.
Built on agentic AI technology, Propel is designed to understand operational objectives, respond to changing conditions, and actively complete tasks within defined operational boundaries. Rather than simply identifying opportunities, the system can take action while keeping operators informed and in control.
Initially, Propel focuses on voyage optimisation. The platform can create voyage plans, manage communication with vessel masters, incorporate feedback from crews, and continuously update voyage recommendations as conditions evolve.
By handling these repetitive coordination tasks, ZeroNorth believes operators can respond more quickly to optimisation opportunities while reducing the administrative burden associated with managing multiple voyages and vessels.
Tested in Real Operations
The voyage optimisation agent has already been used internally by ZeroNorth’s Professional Services team over the past three months. Following this testing phase, the company is now providing early access to selected customers including Cargill, Ultrabulk, and CMB.TECH.
According to ZeroNorth, future AI agents will be released progressively and tested with industry partners before broader deployment. This approach is intended to ensure that new capabilities are shaped by real operational challenges across different shipping segments.
Over time, Propel is expected to support a wider range of workflows, continuously monitoring operations and carrying out actions within parameters set by operators. Wider commercial availability is planned for later in 2026.
Industry Partners Support the Initiative
ZeroNorth CEO Søren Andersen described Propel as a significant step towards more connected and intelligent maritime operations.
“Our ambition with Propel is to help change the way shipping works by changing what technology can do inside maritime operations,” Andersen said. He added that maritime operations can become more connected, continuous, and precise when technology takes on a larger share of coordination work, allowing people to focus on decisions where human judgement creates the greatest value.
Andersen also highlighted the role played by launch partners Cargill, Ultrabulk, and CMB.TECH, all of which were among ZeroNorth’s earliest customers.
Their operational experience is expected to help shape the platform’s future development and ensure that it remains closely aligned with industry requirements.
James Lewis, Vice President Global Operations at Cargill Ocean Transportation, said the company is pleased to continue working with ZeroNorth to explore technologies that can modernise shipping, improve efficiency, and support industry progress.
Ultrabulk CFO Oskar Fabricius agreed, noting that technology creates value when it is closely connected to real operational needs. He highlighted the potential of AI systems capable of taking action, rather than simply presenting information, and welcomed the opportunity to help shape the next generation of maritime technology.
Supporting Shipping’s Digital Future
Founded in 2020, ZeroNorth has developed rapidly into one of the maritime industry’s leading technology providers. The company now serves more than 200 customers globally and processes approximately 1.3 trillion data points across its platform.
The business also facilitates more than 50 million tonnes of bunker transactions annually and achieved positive EBITDA in 2025. Following a period of growth that included six acquisitions, the company is now focused on delivering greater customer value and integrating its solutions through the Propel platform.
ZeroNorth believes that the future of sustainable trade depends on making maritime operations more commercially efficient, operationally resilient, and environmentally responsible. With Propel, the company aims to use agentic AI to help shipping companies achieve those goals by transforming how day-to-day maritime operations are managed.
As artificial intelligence continues to gain traction across the industry, initiatives such as Propel highlight the growing shift from decision-support tools toward systems capable of actively participating in operational workflows while maintaining human oversight.
Source: ZeroNorth.
