CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB), one of the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world, has secured funding from the UK Government through its SEEDS (Sustainability Exploration and Environmental Data Science) programme for a new initiative, MaritimeTwin. The initiative aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by up to 15%. The project will use cutting-edge satellite and digital twin technology to optimise shipping routes and reduce environmental impact, supporting the UK’s Clean Maritime Plan and net-zero goals.
Led by CGI with Maritime UK, and the Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre (IDRIC) at Heriot-Watt University, the project will bring together world-class expertise in digital innovation, maritime research and industry standards. It will also include CGI's proven CGI DataTwin360 and EcoHub platforms. The MaritimeTwin prototype will integrate real-time satellite data with advanced digital twin technology, a virtual representation of a real-world object, system, or process. This will enable accurate route planning, fuel consumption optimisation, and emissions monitoring to help support decarbonisation whilst strengthening the UK's position as a clean maritime technology leader, driving economic growth and highly skilled jobs.
MaritimeTwin will provide shipping operators with a powerful tool to simulate various scenarios, with an outcome of allowing data-driven decisions that balance operational efficiency with environmental impact. This features the innovative incorporation of real-time environmental data, including weather patterns, ocean currents, and port conditions. Crucially, it will have the ability to continuously learn and offer more precision through machine-learning algorithms.
Mattie Yeta, CGI UK’s Chief Sustainability Officer said: “This award enables the development of a demonstrator that leverages real-time data to deliver tangible impact across the maritime sector. This project addresses the urgent need for maritime decarbonisation but also strengthens the UK's position as a leader in clean maritime technology, driving economic growth and creating high-skilled jobs in the sector.”
Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer, IDRIC’s Director at Heriot-Watt University said: "The pace and complexity of pathways to decarbonisation for maritime transport demands rigorous and independent research. We are delighted to be able to leverage the expertise that IDRIC has built up over the past four years. The MaritimeTwin consortium will enable rapid development and deployment of a transformative solution for the maritime industry through close collaboration and access to real-world testing to accelerate commercialisation.”
Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE, Chief Executive, Maritime UK said: "Maritime UK is proud to play a role in the MaritimeTwin CMDC6 project. Our focus is on ensuring that end users and industry stakeholders are meaningfully engaged and represented throughout the project, providing forums where they can help to shape a solution that is both technically robust and market viable. By providing a clear strategy and forums for engagement, we seek to align innovation with real-world industry needs.”
Neale Ryan, Head of Land & Maritime Transport at Innovate UK, said: “The MaritimeTwin initiative shows what can be achieved when we rethink every part of maritime technology - from engine design to IT systems. CGI's digital twin system has exciting potential to help UK and international vessels find smarter, lower-carbon routes that could make a marked reduction in shipping emissions. It is a prime example of the exciting ways that UK SHORE-funded projects are setting a course for a more sustainable maritime sector.”
SEEDS successfully secured funding through the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) Round 6, part of a suite of interventions launched by the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE). UK SHORE aims to transform the UK into a global leader in the design and manufacturing of clean maritime technology whilst the focus of the CMDC Round 6 is to fund pre-deployment trials and feasibility studies into clean maritime technologies and skills that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
For further information on CGI’s SEEDS research programme, please visit Sustainability Exploration and Environmental Data Science (SEEDS) | CGI UK
About Maritime Twin
MaritimeTwin is funded by UK Government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme in the Department for Transport. UK SHORE has allocated over £230m since 2022 to over 247 projects, leveraging over £107m private investment. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the main delivery partner for UK SHORE interventions, including the flagship CMDC and ZEVI competitions. Maritime is a key sector which needs to find innovative solutions to its carbon footprint in order to contribute to the UK’s decarbonisation agenda. The UK SHORE programme is a key part of that work, supporting research and development to unlock an industry-led transition towards Net Zero and deliver economic growth, in line with the Government’s missions and the Plan for Change. The UK SHORE programme consists of multiple headline projects situated all across the UK from Belfast and Orkney to Cornwall and Portsmouth and all points in between – showcasing the exceptional, highly-skilled work being delivered throughout the UK economy. UK SHORE is supporting 500 organisations, unlocking investment potential in UK technologies, at UK ports and at UK shipyards.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 93,000 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2024 reported revenue is CA$14.68 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.
About IDRIC
IDRIC is the focal point of the green transformation in the UK’s industrial heartlands. Powered by research and innovation and funded by UKRI, IDRIC develops innovative decarbonisation solutions at pace and scale in the places where it matters most. IDRIC is hosted by Heriot-Watt University based in Edinburgh. Learn more at idric.org
About Maritime UK
Maritime UK is the umbrella organisation convening the maritime industries of the United Kingdom including ports, professional services, leisure marine, shipping and engineering. Our purpose is to champion and enable a thriving maritime sector, providing a single high-level voice which represents a sector worth more than £116 Billion annually, supporting almost 1.1 million jobs.
For more information
Media
Paul Butler
External Communications Manager UK
p.butler@cgi.com
+44 (0)7920 784199
