Stolt Tankers has partnered with Berlin-based tech firm Tilla to deploy its digital crew change platform across its entire fleet of over 160 chemical tankers following successful pilot trials. The integration automates complex travel logistics and flight bookings, providing real-time data transparency to streamline the movement of seafarers across global deep-sea and regional routes.
Berlin | April 28, 2026 – Tilla, the Berlin-based maritime technology provider, has announced that global chemical tanker giant Stolt Tankers will deploy its digital platform across its entire owned fleet. The announcement comes after Stolt Tankers successfully concluded two rigorous pilot programs, validating Tilla’s ability to handle the extreme logistical complexities of the chemical parcel trade.
By centralizing vessel schedules, crewing data, and real-time aviation feeds, Tilla is positioning itself as the critical link in maritime “human logistics,” helping Tier-1 operators move away from manual, fragmented travel planning.
As the shipping industry faces increasing pressure to optimize operational expenditures and improve seafarer welfare, the partnership highlights a growing trend: the transition from manual, spreadsheet-based logistics to real-time, data-driven automation.
Navigating Complexity: The Strategic Rationale
Operating a fleet of over 160 chemical tankers requires a staggering level of coordination. Stolt Tankers manages deep-sea and regional routes that involve thousands of crew rotations annually. These changes are influenced by volatile ship schedules, diverse seafarer nationalities, and the fluctuating availability of international flights.
The traditional “manual” approach to these logistics often leads to:
- Data Silos: Information fragmented between port agents, airlines, and crewing departments.
- Operational Lag: Delays in reacting to real-time vessel schedule changes.
- Hidden Costs: A lack of transparency in travel booking and last-minute logistical adjustments.
By integrating Tilla’s platform, Stolt Tankers centralizes ship schedules, crewing data, and real-time flight information into a single, unified interface.
The Pilot Success
The decision to roll out Tilla across the entire owned fleet was not immediate. It followed two comprehensive pilot projects designed to stress-test the software in high-complexity environments. The results demonstrated a sharp reduction in administrative overhead, primarily through the automation of flight planning and booking, tasks that previously consumed hundreds of man-hours.
Niklas Weidmann, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Tilla, said “We are very pleased to continue the strong partnership with Stolt Tankers. They have long been impressive in the field of digitalization, and we are delighted to support their crewing teams by helping streamline the travel involved in crew changes.”
A Rising Standard in Maritime Tech
Tilla’s ascent in the Berlin tech scene mirrors the maritime industry’s hunger for niche SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions. Since its founding in 2021, Tilla has rapidly expanded its footprint, now facilitating nearly 100,000 bookings per year, Its client list includes industry heavyweights such as:
- Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG
- Exmar
- Essberger
- Wilson
- Stödig Ship Management
The company’s growth is bolstered by a 2025 funding round backed by prominent industry venture capitalists and operators, including Motion Ventures and Exmar, positioning it as a dominant player in the crew-tech space alongside existing clients.
About Companies
Stolt Tankers
A division of the Oslo-listed Stolt-Nielsen Limited (SNL), Stolt Tankers is a global titan in the transportation of bulk liquid chemicals, edible oils, and acids.
- Fleet: Over 160 tankers, including deep-sea, regional, and inland barging units.
- Integration: Seamlessly connected with Stolthaven Terminals and Stolt Tank Containers to provide end-to-end logistics.
- Focus: High-quality, safe, and reliable global transportation for the world’s most demanding chemical cargoes.
Tilla
Founded in Berlin in 2021, Tilla specializes in optimizing the “human logistics” of shipping.
- The Mission: To replace fragmented workflows with automated, data-rich decision-making tools.
- The Impact: By providing full cost transparency and real-time integration with port and flight data, Tilla empowers crewing teams to prioritize productivity and seafarer experience over administrative paperwork.
Source: Tilla