Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Marlink have launched a strategic research collaboration to bridge the gap between digital ambition and operational reality. By integrating LR’s Digital Maturity Index (DMI) data with Marlink’s connectivity expertise, the partnership aims to provide shipowners with a unified roadmap for managing the increasingly complex, software-defined vessels of the future.
London, Oslo | May 12, 2026 – Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Marlink have entered a landmark research partnership designed to move the maritime industry beyond the “fragmented” approach to digitalization that currently plagues global shipping.
As vessels become increasingly data-driven, shipowners are struggling to manage a chaotic mix of isolated digital systems. The new collaboration will see Marlink join LR’s Digital Transformation Research Programme, focusing on the practical hurdles of connectivity, cyber security, and system integration.
Closing the “Ambition-Execution” Gap
The partnership builds on data from LR’s Digital Maturity Index (DMI), which has assessed over 50 leading shipping companies. The findings revealed a troubling trend: while connectivity and cyber security are maturing, there remains a massive gap between a company’s digital “ambition” and its actual “execution.”
The research will prioritize:
- The Shared Responsibility Model: Defining the evolving roles of shipowners, system integrators, and class societies.
- Newbuild Integration: Utilizing real-world data from a leading shipowner’s current newbuilding program to see how digital specs are managed from design to recycling.
- Resilient Infrastructure: Moving ships from being “connected” to being truly “software-defined.”
Leadership Perspectives
“Our initial findings highlight that while cyber security and connectivity are gaining ground, their full potential is still untapped,” said Mark Warner, Client Marketing Director at Lloyd’s Register. “Marlink is an ideal partner to help shipowners navigate these complexities more effectively.”
Tore Morten Olsen, President Maritime at Marlink, added: “The maritime industry faces growing challenges across highly fragmented digital ecosystems. We aim to help the industry move towards a more integrated, resilient, and operationally effective approach.”
About Lloyd’s Register (LR)
Lloyd’s Register is a global professional services group specializing in marine engineering, technology, and digital solutions. Founded over 260 years ago as the world’s first marine classification society, LR now leads the industry in safety, compliance, and performance optimization. Through its OneOcean platform, LR delivers integrated digital solutions for voyage planning and fleet management to over 30,000 vessels worldwide. Wholly owned by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the group remains a politically and financially independent organization dedicated to promoting safety and education across the maritime sector.
About Marlink
Marlink is a global leader in managed ICT (Information and Communication Technology) solutions, serving the world’s most challenging environments, from merchant shipping and offshore energy to superyachts. With annual revenues exceeding $800 million, Marlink operates a “possibility platform” that provides end-to-end managed solutions in connectivity, cybersecurity, and IoT. By managing complex IT and network environments at scale, Marlink enables maritime operators to work smarter and more sustainably, removing the technological limitations of remote operations.
Source: Marlink