Japanese shipping major NYK and its R&D arm Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI) have launched a new trial with UK-based behavioural science platform Signol to help seafarers cut fuel use and emissions through their everyday operational choices. Over a fleet of 33 NYK-operated vessels, operational data will be analysed and turned into practical, personalised guidance for crews on board.

Instead of focusing only on new hardware or fuels, the project puts people at the centre of decarbonization. Signol uses behavioural and management science to identify the levers crews actually control, then nudges them towards more fuel-efficient decisions. Seafarers receive tailored emails and in-app messages with individual goals, progress updates and positive feedback, all based on how they operate specific engine-related machinery and equipment.

The trial concentrates on systems where operating times and settings can be safely adjusted by the crew, such as auxiliary machinery whose run-hours can be reduced without compromising safety or compliance. Over roughly six months, NYK and MTI will compare data before and after the trial to quantify how much behaviour change alone can reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Results will also feed into academic work with Columbia University, highlighting the growing role of behavioural science in maritime decarbonization.

For companies across the sector, this collaboration underlines an important point: digital platforms and data analytics are only fully effective when they engage the people who operate vessels every day. By combining rich operational data with behavioural insight, NYK, MTI and Signol aim to unlock “human-led” efficiency gains that complement engine upgrades, route optimisation and alternative fuels.

At Seacraft IT, we see this kind of initiative as a blueprint for the future of maritime technology: solutions that connect shore-side analytics with crew-friendly interfaces and clear, actionable feedback. As more shipowners look to close the gap between ambitious sustainability targets and day-to-day operations, empowering seafarers with data, context and recognition will become a core part of any decarbonization strategy.