Finnish maritime tech start-up Awake.AI is introducing a new ‘marketplace’ system for shipping and port data-powered services, leveraging the company’s library of open APIs and backed by funding from the European Space Agency (ESA).
Awake.AI’s existing data exchange and analysis platform is currently used by organisations such as port authorities, cargo owners and ship operators, offering a range of APIs for system-to-system integration and machine learning-driven decision support.
The new Awake marketplace will be built on top of that existing platform to provide new options for networked data sharing among stakeholders, with the aim of supporting ETA improvement, real-time asset tracking and identification, and other services.
“We will offer a globally scalable marketplace for smart port and smart shipping services, which is built on leveraging the open APIs provided by the Awake.AI platform,” explains Simo Salminen, Co-Founder and Vice President of Products, Awake.AI.
“Awake marketplace will enable any third parties to build their own solutions on top of the Awake Platform. It will be a full service one-stop-shop for all smart port services, including service purchases raised by ships when making port calls, trucking and even operational services.”
ESA agreed to back the project with funding in November 2020 via its ESA Space Solutions arm, which supports European companies in developing sustainable commercial space-based services.
“ESA is delighted to support Awake.AI with this project, which is an excellent example of how Space Solutions uses data from satellites to transform businesses on Earth,” said Dr Rita Rinaldo, Head of the Partner-led and Thematic Initiatives Section at ESA.
“ESA has a long history of supporting companies delivering maritime applications relying on space assets and data. Awake marketplace is a clear example of the unique value space can play in the digital transformation of port systems and of the shipping sector.”