Meet the Pole Star Global team at SMM Hamburg from 1–4 September in Hall B6, Stand 336, to explore how maritime intelligence is supporting safer, more efficient and more connected operations.
Few industries face change as quick, or as wide-ranging, as shipping does today. Geopolitical disruption, tighter emissions requirements and growing safety and security risks are reshaping how operators route, manage and monitor vessels. Digitalisation is accelerating that shift, as operators look to improve fleet efficiency while navigating an increasingly complex operating environment. These issues will be a central focus at SMM Hamburg 2026 under the theme “Driving the Maritime Transition”.
Yet shipowners often tackle these challenges separately, across different teams, technologies and data sources. This can leave them with a fragmented view of vessels, voyages and risk at a time when making informed decisions depends on seeing the full picture.
Managing ships in the digital era
For shipowners, the maritime transition ultimately plays out in the day-to-day running of a fleet. Matt Morgan, Head of Product at Pole Star Global, will explore that reality at SMM’s Ship Owners Forum on Tuesday 1 September, looking at how digital tools are changing voyage optimisation, fuel efficiency and predictive maintenance as vessels become increasingly connected.
That connectivity brings new vulnerabilities too, putting cybersecurity alongside performance and efficiency as a growing operational concern. Joined by Cristina Sáenz de Santa María, CEO Maritime at DNV, Matt will discuss how shipowners, technology providers and regulators can respond, in a panel moderated by TradeWinds Technology Editor Craig Eason.
Turning maritime data into decisions with Pole Star Global
Pole Star Global provides that fuller picture, bringing together vessel, voyage and risk intelligence to support decisions across fleet operations, compliance and security.
For shipowners and operators, Podium brings voyage monitoring, analysis and optimisation together in one platform, connecting the efficiency and emissions sides of the maritime transition. Its AI-based voyage optimisation has delivered fuel and emissions reductions of 5–10%, transit-time reductions of up to 7% and TCE improvements of up to 8%, alongside emissions monitoring and regulatory reporting.
Podium also provides a fleet-wide view of vessel performance, combining weather routing and forecasting, charter party monitoring, security alerts and near-real-time vessel positions. Position reporting draws on multiple sources beyond AIS, so visibility holds even when AIS drops out, goes dark or carries a spoofed signal.
Sanctions screening, vessel due diligence and trade finance risk all run through PurpleTRAC. It now also screens dual-use goods at transaction level, giving compliance and commercial teams one system instead of separate checks across separate tools.
For governments, navies and coast guards, MDA combines satellite tracking with satellite and terrestrial AIS to identify dark vessels, spoofing, transshipments and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Meridia and Meridia IQ extend Pole Star’s maritime data and intelligence to ports, classification societies, flag administrations, insurers and government users, with further additions planned for later in 2026.
Pole Star Defense sponsors AMVER Awards at SMM
The same principle applies at sea, where shared information keeps vessels safe. Since 2022, Pole Star Defense has held a U.S. Coast Guard contract to support AMVER, the voluntary vessel-reporting system that connects merchant vessels with search-and-rescue coordinators around the world. In practice, that support breaks into two distinct teams:
- A Mission Operations Center (MOC) team, which provides round-the-clock (24/7/365) watch coverage, monitoring AMVER activity and escalating issues as needed.
- A separate development team (Nereus), responsible for modernising and maintaining AMVER’s underlying systems.
That relationship continues at SMM 2026, where Pole Star Defense is a Silver sponsor of the AMVER Awards Reception. The event recognises merchant vessels participating in AMVER and their contribution to safety at sea.
Safer operations start with better information. We look forward to seeing you in Hamburg.