Russian AI Comes Aboard

What the New App Can Do

At a scientific and technical conference hosted by the Saint Petersburg State Marine Technical University, Kanonera presented Kanonera Ship Service. The software consolidates control over vessel system parameters, maintenance planning, and equipment management into a single interface.

A key feature is a built-in AI assistant that allows crew members to trigger specific operational scenarios using voice commands. For the maritime sector, this represents a meaningful step forward. It increases automation in maintenance workflows, reduces the impact of human error when monitoring equipment, and enables centralized oversight for both onboard crews and shore-based service teams.

The launch is particularly significant because shipbuilding and fleet operations have long been conservative when it comes to adopting advanced IT systems. By integrating real-time monitoring and AI-driven controls, the platform aims to improve vessel reliability, enhance navigational safety, accelerate maintenance cycles, and reduce operational risk.

A Push Toward Digitalization and Export

Kanonera Ship Service has potential both within Russia and in international markets. Domestically, the platform could act as a catalyst for digital transformation in ship repair and fleet management. It may also support state transport modernization initiatives and serve as a foundation for interagency data exchange on vessel technical status.

Digital transformation is currently taking place across nearly every segment of the maritime industry. It encompasses ship design and construction processes as well. Digitalization involves a wide range of participants, from shipyards and design bureaus to software developers. At the same time, despite existing constraints, shipbuilding has been and will remain a global industry. That means digital data and models will be exchanged not only within Russia, but also with foreign contractors

Alexey Zakharov

Head of Research and Engineering Management, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping

Export potential is tangible, though additional steps are required. To compete globally, the platform must align with international maritime standards, including those of the International Maritime Organization and the International Association of Classification Societies, and adapt its interfaces to meet the requirements of foreign shipyards. Global demand for digitalization is rising, while Russian-developed ship software remains underrepresented in international markets.

Developers emphasize cybersecurity as a core priority. Because the software integrates directly with onboard systems, any vulnerability could have serious consequences. IT protection measures are therefore being addressed as a standalone engineering track within the project.

The Evolution of Maritime Technology

Over the past five years, digital transformation has increasingly reshaped maritime transport. Russian companies previously developed diagnostic systems for engines and power plants, but those solutions were typically stationary or narrowly specialized. Kanonera Ship Service, by contrast, delivers a mobile, integrated service layer, marking a qualitative shift in how vessel data is accessed and managed.

Interest in digital maintenance logs and real-time service scheduling is also growing across both civilian and naval fleets. Internationally, AI tools are being embedded into ship systems to diagnose faults and predict equipment failures. Kanonera’s platform aligns with this global trend and demonstrates that Russian engineers are capable of delivering competitive maritime software solutions.

The Digital Future of the Fleet

Kanonera Ship Service is more than a standalone app. It signals a broader technological evolution in the maritime industry. Integrating an AI assistant into equipment management suggests that digitalization is moving from isolated tools toward fully integrated operational ecosystems, with Russian developers positioning themselves as innovation contributors in shipbuilding and fleet operations.

Within the next one to three years, the platform could be adapted for major Russian shipping companies and deployed more broadly across shipyards. Future development may include integration with global monitoring systems, such as predictive maintenance frameworks used by equipment manufacturers. In the long term, entry into foreign markets is possible, provided the platform secures international certification and maintains high cybersecurity standards.

In this context, Kanonera Ship Service not only strengthens Russia’s standing in maritime digital technologies but also lays groundwork for exporting domestic IT solutions within the shipbuilding sector.