Hefring Marine, an Icelandic pioneer in intelligent maritime solutions, has announced the expansion of its partnership with Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue (Redningsselskapet), one of Norway’s leading maritime safety organizations. This collaboration will see the fleet-wide deployment of Hefring Marine’s Intelligent Maritime Awareness System (IMAS®) across all Redningsselskapet vessels, enhancing search and rescue operations along Norway’s extensive coastline.
Two-Year Selection Process Culminates in IMAS Deployment
Following a comprehensive two-year selection process, Redningsselskapet has chosen Hefring Marine’s IMAS system to equip its entire fleet. This decision builds on a collaboration that began in 2020, when Redningsselskapet became an early adopter of Hefring Marine’s IMAS prototype. Since then, eight vessels in the fleet have been successfully outfitted with the innovative system. The fleet-wide rollout, planned for 2025 and 2026, marks a significant milestone in the partnership and reinforces Redningsselskapet’s commitment to technological advancement.
Gorm Hillgaar, Maritime Director at Redningsselskapet, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration
“We are excited to reach this milestone with Hefring Marine, which solidifies our cooperation in the coming years. Through detailed testing and mapping of internal needs, we are confident that the IMAS system will play a critical role in optimizing fleet utilization and reducing the carbon footprint of our operations.”
Karl Birgir Björnsson, CEO of Hefring Marine, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the partnership “The full deployment of IMAS across Redningsselskapet’s fleet is a powerful milestone in our shared journey. This decision reflects our dedication to supporting lifesaving missions at sea with cutting-edge technology designed to enhance maritime safety and operational efficiency.”
About IMAS® System
The IMAS system represents a groundbreaking advancement in maritime technology. By leveraging artificial intelligence, sensor data, and edge computing, the solution delivers real-time decision support to enhance situational awareness, crew safety, fuel efficiency, and sustainability. With its fleet-wide adoption, Redningsselskapet aims to boost operational efficiency, provide enhanced training, and enable safer responses in challenging conditions.
Redningsselskapet’s Role in Maritime Safety
Redningsselskapet, Norway’s largest voluntary maritime rescue organization, operates 58 search and rescue (SAR) vessels along the Norwegian coastline and major lakes. The organization’s vision, “nobody shall drown,” underpins its commitment to improving maritime safety through rescue operations, outreach, and accident prevention initiatives. By equipping its fleet with IMAS, Redningsselskapet ensures its teams have the advanced tools necessary to perform critical missions with greater precision and efficiency.
Advancing Search and Rescue Operations
This partnership underscores the growing role of technology in enhancing maritime safety and emergency response. As Redningsselskapet and Hefring Marine join forces to modernize fleet capabilities, they set a benchmark for innovation in search and rescue operations.
About Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue – Redningsselskapet
Redningsselskapet, The Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue, is a nationwide humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives, salvaging assets, and protecting Norway’s coastal environment. With 1,500 volunteers and professionals, the organization operates 58 SAR vessels and conducts outreach initiatives aimed at preventing accidents and improving safety at sea. Their mission ensures that no one faces peril at sea without support.
About Hefring Marine
Hefring Marine, based in Iceland, specializes in marine technology solutions that utilize AI, sensor data, and edge computing to provide real-time decision support. Their IMAS® system empowers vessel operators and fleet managers to improve safety, fuel efficiency, and sustainability while delivering robust data analytics and reporting. With a strong presence in the workboat sector, Hefring Marine is dedicated to advancing maritime performance and safety.
This expanded partnership between Hefring Marine and Redningsselskapet represents a bold step toward safer, more efficient maritime operations, paving the way for advancements in search and rescue technology.
Source Hefring Marine