kabarsula Aurora Expeditions expands partnership with CounterCurrent after tech trial bandar SLOT INDONESIA

Aurora Expeditions has expanded its partnership with CounterCurrent, following an Antarctic trial of AI-powered ocean forecasting technology aboard its newest purpose-built expedition ship, Douglas Mawson.

The collaboration is looking into how artificial intelligence and real-time ocean data can help vessels sail more efficiently, optimise fuel consumption and reduce emissions.

Aurora Expeditions conducted the trial between December 2025 and March 2026. The trial saw CounterCurrent work closely with Aurora’s bridge team to test the technology in challenging maritime conditions. Across five Antarctic voyages, it delivered 39 route recommendations and collected more than 5,600 environmental observations over 126 days of operation.

Early sea trials have indicated fuel savings of more than 2–5 per cent over 24 hours, while preliminary modelling suggests potential savings of up to 5–15 per cent in suitable conditions, depending on vessel type, operating speed and route. These findings remain preliminary, with further testing required to validate longer-term performance.

CounterCurrent has deployed upgraded CounterCurrent Mark 3 Triton sensors across Aurora’s three purpose-built expedition ships – Douglas Mawson, Sylvia Earle and Greg Mortimer – marking the next phase of the partnership.

“Partnerships like CounterCurrent allow us to explore ways to make our operations more efficient, while contributing real-world insights that can help advance technology for the wider maritime industry,” Aurora Expeditions head of sustainability and passenger experience Sasha Buch said. “By testing these innovations in Antarctica, we’re supporting practical solutions with the potential to deliver environmental benefits.”

The technology

CounterCurrent founder Professor Shane Keating describes the technology as “Google Maps for the Sea.” It combines AI-driven forecasting, ship-mounted sensors and real-time ocean observations to identify more efficient routes through dynamic ocean currents.

By identifying favourable currents and recommending small adjustments to avoid unfavourable conditions, the system aims to help vessels reduce fuel consumption without necessarily increasing journey times. During the Antarctic trial, sensors operated in temperatures as low as -30°C and winds hitting 120 km/h.

With the technology now operating across three ships, the next phase will explore fleet-wide forecasting, letting observations from one vessel to help improve forecasts and route recommendations for others operating in the same region.

Final routing decisions remain with Aurora’s captains and bridge teams.