NAVIS SAPIENS is an advanced digital ecosystem, based on scalable, composable and open platforms, that transforms ships into true cognitive units, capable of “learning” new languages and functionalities throughout their lifecycle.

This capability, which utilises artificial intelligence, big data and connectivity, will allow ships to not only make better decisions in real time, optimise efficiency and ensure the highest levels of safety and sustainability, but also to leverage technologies that are currently immature or unknown and will soon become available.

Therefore, ships equipped with Navis Sapiens will not face digital obsolescence. On the contrary, they will gain increasing value over time. From the shipowners’ perspective this is a revolution, because a ship with a brain is a product that evolves, developing ever-new business capabilities that can be installed or updated on board during its operational life, rather than being a product for which investment is necessary to preserve its initial capabilities.

In fact, one of the main objectives is to minimise long-term investment (the total cost of ownership) for Fincantieri’s customers, while allowing the best functional integration and interoperability.

Moreover, the prerogatives of Navis Sapiens, founded on open platforms that can be accessed and populated by involved parties, will facilitate communication among all the ship’s stakeholders, both on board, improving the experience of passengers and crews, and on land, directly involving the docking port, the port authority, the land supply chain and the relevant commercial network.

Going a little deeper

Fincantieri developed Navis Sapiens with the goal of creating a new generation of ships, equipped with a digital architecture capable of analysing large amounts of real-time data from thousands of sensors. This system allows the unit to learn from its operational models to constantly improve efficiency and safety, optimise the route, consumption, maintenance and management of onboard systems, and adapt to different operational conditions. A Navis Sapiens can also communicate with the mainland and other vessels, with the aim of creating an interconnected fleet.

Navis Sapiens is based on an intelligent architecture that integrates a series of advanced technologies. At the core of the system are artificial intelligence and machine learning, enabling analysis of real-time operational conditions and optimisation of the ship’s performance.

Both are supported by the Internet of Things (IoT), facilitating interconnected management of onboard systems for continuous and predictive monitoring. Another key component is the Digital Twin, a digital simulation that replicates the ship’s behaviour in various scenarios, thus improving maintenance and safety. Advanced automation also reduces the margin of human error and improves operational management, ensuring more efficient and secure operations.

Navis Sapiens is also a contribution to fleet sustainability and resilience. Indeed, a central aspect of the project is its contribution to shipping’s green transition for emission reduction.

The proposed solutions include optimising onboard energy consumption, as well as intelligent management of waste and ballast water, minimising the impact on marine ecosystems. With the increase in digitalisation, cybersecurity becomes a priority.

Navis Sapiens introduces a new approach to onboard cybersecurity, as well as technologies capable of improving risk management, with predictive systems for maintenance or continuous safety monitoring on board through sensors and AI. The first ship equipped with Navis Sapiens is expected to enter service before the end of 2025.

Navis Sapiens contributes to Fincantieri’s ambition to transform itself from a Physical vessel design authority (integrator of physical systems, such as engines and air conditioning) to a Digital vessel design authority (aggregator of digital functions, including third-party).

The project is among the first strategic initiatives of Fincantieri Ingenium, a new company 70% owned by Fincantieri NexTech, the group’s technological engine, and 30% by Accenture. This milestone is part of Fincantieri Group’s broader industrial transformation plan for an increasingly intelligent, adaptive, scalable and connected model, integrating the most advanced digital technologies to increase innovative, sustainable and globally competitive shipbuilding.