Hefring Marine and Ecomar Propulsion have partnered to integrate AI-driven IMAS monitoring on the hydrogen-battery vessel MV Dirac. This strategic collaboration enhances safety and operational efficiency for the next generation of zero-emission electric maritime operations.
Reykjavik, London | March 17, 2026 – In a significant move for the zero-emission maritime sector, Hefring Marine, a leader in intelligent maritime monitoring, and Ecomar Propulsion, specialists in high-efficiency electric drives, have announced a strategic partnership to advance safety and energy management in electric vessel operations.
The collaboration centers on the integration of Hefring Marine’s proprietary Intelligent Marine Assistance System (IMAS) aboard Ecomar’s flagship hydrogen-battery research vessel, the MV Dirac. This deployment represents a milestone in maritime tech, marking the first time Hefring’s advanced AI-driven monitoring has been tailored specifically for a hydrogen–electric propulsion environment.
The MV Dirac: A Laboratory for the Future
The MV Dirac is not just a vessel; it is a sophisticated testing platform owned by Ecomar to vet the latest breakthroughs in propulsion, energy management, and ship controls. By installing the IMAS system, the partners aim to bridge the gap between “green power” and “smart operations.”
The IMAS platform will provide the MV Dirac with:
- Live Environmental Monitoring: Real-time analysis of sea conditions and vessel impact.
- Motion Analytics: Critical data to protect the structural integrity of electric drivetrains and battery racks.
- Decision Support: AI-driven insights that help captains navigate for maximum energy efficiency and crew comfort.
Pioneering the Standard
Both CEOs emphasized that as the industry moves away from internal combustion engines, the “brain” of the ship must become as advanced as its “heart.”
“Electric and hydrogen-powered vessels represent the future of maritime operations,” said Karl Birgir Björnsson, CEO of Hefring Marine. “Ensuring their crews have access to real-time environmental and motion data is essential for safe and efficient operations. The MV Dirac provides an ideal platform to demonstrate how our technology can enhance comfort and safety in this new generation of sustainable workboats.“
Eugene Bari, CEO of Ecomar Propulsion, highlighted the synergy between energy hardware and monitoring software:
“We are the experts in electric drives and energy management, and the IMAS system complements our core activities. We are delighted to be able to showcase this new technology using our vessel and believe this partnership will deliver valuable insights for the entire industry as we pioneer the next generation of electric maritime operations.”
Driving Data-Led Decarbonization
The partnership underscores a broader trend in the bunkering and energy sectors: the shift toward data-driven performance. While electric and hydrogen propulsion significantly reduce carbon footprints, they also require precise handling to manage energy density and vessel stability.
By combining Ecomar Propulsion’s expertise in clean energy drives with Hefring’s edge-computing capabilities, the duo is creating a blueprint for how future workboats, from wind farm tenders to pilot boats, can operate at peak safety without relying on fossil fuels.
About Hefring Marine
Hefring Marine is an Icelandic marine technology company that deploys AI, sensor data, and edge computing to empower vessel operators and fleet managers. Their flagship IMAS® system delivers real-time decision support, enhancing crew safety, fuel efficiency, and vessel sustainability.
With a presence across various workboat sectors, Hefring Marine focuses on transforming raw data into actionable insights, helping the global maritime industry improve performance through intelligent, data-driven monitoring and reporting.
Source: Hefring Marine