15 October 2025

How AI is shaping the future of risk management

RightShip AI and Technology

Discover how AI transforms risk management with predictive detention models, smart PSC preparation, and due diligence to boost efficiency and compliance. 

Ship owners and managers face rising Port State Control (PSC) scrutiny, volatile markets and higher compliance costs. At the same time, manual systems continue to lag. New technology and AI‑powered tools like predictive detention models, smart PSC preparation and due diligence platforms are shifting operations toward proactive, data‑driven efficiency and redefining the competitive edge for modern maritime supply chains.  

Maritime supply chains are at a crossroads. Freight rates are volatile, environmental regulations are tightening, and the operational risks of running complex fleets have never been higher. 

Every hour of downtime or delay ripples through the supply chain, impacting not just vessel operators, but cargo owners, terminals, and ultimately the maritime supply chain. In 2024 alone, over 74,000 PSC inspections were conducted globally, with deficiencies rising to 123,000 and over 9,700 days lost to detention in 2024 across all vessel types. RightShip’s data shows a year-on-year increase in these data points, putting increased pressure on vessel operators and highlighting the heightened scrutiny ships face in ports worldwide. 

A single detention can cost bulk carriers and tankers tens of thousands of dollars per day. With PSC inspections and compliance requirements becoming increasingly complex, the financial risks are higher than ever. Layer in new environmental rules, tighter safety oversight, and volatile markets, and it’s clear that manual risk management processes are at a strong disadvantage.  

As a consequence, the industry is undergoing a fundamental shift: moving away from reactive, manual processes towards data-driven, predictive operations. And with higher regulatory stakes, growing commercial pressure and increasing compliance needs from charterers, the forces driving this transformation is clear.  

For operators ready to embrace technology, these pressures are not just risks to mitigate but opportunities to gain a lasting competitive edge. 

Why the old playbook no longer works

Most ship managers still prepare for million-dollar operational decisions using Excel spreadsheets and paper checklists. In today’s environment, this approach is neither viable nor effective. Consider what happens when a vessel gets detained: immediate charter cancellation penalties, cargo delay claims from multiple shippers, port congestion charges that compound daily, and reputational damage or even financial losses. When critical risks are managed through outdated workflows, operators are stuck reacting to crises, unable to predict or proactively address.  

And detentions don’t just impact O&Ms, they also hit charterers’ bottom lines. RightShip data from 2024 shows charterers lost 12,540 vessel days to detentions, equating to approximately $188 million in financial impact. Detention rates are climbing; deficiencies are up 54% and inspection activity has surged 28%. In this environment, manual workflows, legacy spreadsheets, and paper-based checklists simply cannot keep pace and charters pay the price of operators lagging behind.  

Smart operators are getting ahead

Instead of reacting to problems, leading maritime companies are predicting and preventing problems using AI-powered intelligence. 

Detention prediction is transforming vessel operations. These systems analyse thousands of inspection records, vessel histories, and port requirements to forecast detention probability with 85% accuracy. For operators, this means proactively addressing compliance risks before they lead to costly detentions — avoiding schedule disruptions, safeguarding revenue, and maintaining strong charter relationships. 

Incident risk classification is proving equally valuable for chemical tankers, where even minor incidents trigger major commercial consequences. AI systems now assess vessel risk profiles by analysing operational patterns, crew performance, and maintenance records. High-risk vessels receive targeted interventions before problems escalate. 

The payoff of innovation in the maritime industry extends beyond safety. Charterers increasingly demand transparency about vessel risk profiles. Operators who demonstrate proactive risk management through data-driven insights secure better rates and preferred partner status with major oil companies.

Port preparation gets smart 

PSC preparation used to consume days of manual work for each inspection. Senior crew spent hours cross-referencing regulations, compiling certificates, and hoping they hadn't missed critical requirements. 

Smart PSC preparation platforms have transformed this into targeted, efficient workflows. Tools like RightShip's PSC RiskIQ automate regulatory cross-checking while highlighting vessel-specific risk areas. Meanwhile, the latest RightFLEET upgrade, Fleet Focus, brings inspection, PSC deficiencies and incident data into a single view, giving operators actionable intelligence to move from reactive fixes to proactive fleet management, applying AI and helping ship managers anticipate potential issues even before they arise. 

These tools allow ship managers to focus their limited time on genuine compliance gaps rather than administrative busy work. 

For LNG carriers operating on tight scheduling windows, even a few hours saved during an inspection can make the difference between completing a timely delivery and experiencing operational delays.

Due diligence that works

Charterers, traders and terminals waste countless hours evaluating potential tonnage using outdated information. Digital due diligence platforms are streamlining critical business interactions like these. Platforms such as RightShip's Due Diligence Hub enable charterers and traders to assess vessels against specific requirements while having a clear vision into the evaluation criteria. This type of innovation empowers charterers to stay firmly in control of their vessel evaluation and risk management processes. In turn, this enables streamlined workflows, centralised documentation and faster decisions. 

Why the urgency now?

Several forces are accelerating technology adoption: 

Regulatory pressure is intensifying. The EU's FuelEU Maritime regulation alone requires detailed fuel consumption tracking and emission calculations that manual systems cannot provide. 

Commercial margins are tightening. With day rates under pressure and operational costs rising, the difference between profit and loss often comes down to operational efficiency gains measured in percentage points. 

Charterer expectations are evolving. Major cargo interests increasingly expect digital transparency, real-time tracking, and proactive communication. Operators who can't meet these expectations are being filtered out of premium trades. 

The divide is already forming

Innovation in the maritime industry is following a predictable pattern. Early adopters are building sustainable competitive advantages while late movers face escalating disadvantage costs. 

Operators investing in intelligent risk management, digital due diligence capabilities, and data-driven decision making are experiencing tangible benefits: higher charter rates, preferred partner status, reduced operational costs, and improved regulatory compliance records. 

Companies clinging to traditional approaches find themselves excluded from increasingly sophisticated market segments. As digital transparency becomes table stakes for premium trades, the commercial penalty for technological lag will only compound. 

 

Key takeaways

Q: Why is the old manual approach insufficient today? 
A: Manual tools like spreadsheets can't handle more frequent, complex PSC inspections, rising deficiencies, or escalating financial penalties. 

Q: How does AI change detention risk management? 
A: Predictive models analyse inspection history and behaviour patterns—forecasting detention probability with high accuracy, letting operators mitigate issues proactively. 

Q: What benefits do smart PSC preparation platforms deliver? 
A: Tools like PSC RiskIQ automate checklist creation, benchmark performance, highlight port-specific risks, and now support fleet-level oversight—saving time and improving compliance. 

Q: How is due diligence evolving for charterers? 
A: Digital platforms (e.g. Due Diligence Hub) centralise documents, allow custom risk workflows, automate checks with Agentic AI, and speed up evaluation of vessel suitability. 

 

Bibliography