Grafmarine collaborate with University of Manchester
We’re proud to share the impact of our collaboration with researchers at The University of Manchester, where machine learning, simulation, and data analytics are being applied to real-world maritime decarbonisation challenges.
Through this partnership, our teams have co-developed **AI-driven tools that elevate how we understand and optimise energy generation from Grafmarine’s NanoDeck modular solar system, transforming raw vessel data into actionable insights that improve efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and support smarter route-based energy planning.
Key wins from the collaboration include:
✔ Enhanced data understanding — a thorough analysis of existing vessel operational datasets, illuminating patterns and optimisation opportunities that drive stronger ROI for our clients.
✔ Interactive simulation and visualisation — prototype applications that allow teams to explore energy usage, solar generation potential, and battery capacity planning for specific shipping routes.
✔ AI-infused decision support — machine-learning models that inform energy deployment strategy in dynamic conditions, helping clients make better decisions under real maritime constraints.
This collaboration wasn’t just about proving a concept, but unlocking measurable commercial and financial value. By applying AI-driven analysis to real vessel data, we are helping clients make better capital allocation decisions, improve fuel and energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and accelerate payback periods on decarbonisation investments.
The richer, data-driven insights generated feed directly into operational planning, asset optimisation, and ROI forecasting, enabling more confident decision-making while delivering credible, measurable sustainability outcomes.
Our thanks to the Research IT team at the University of Manchester for their world-class technical expertise, and to the Grafmarine engineering team for converting advanced data and AI insight into deployable, scalable solutions that deliver measurable commercial returns 🌱⚓
Thank you to the multidisciplinary team that worked with Grafmarine. Prof Arijit De from Alliance Manchester Business School who led the project alongside Prof Alice Larkin and Dr Simon Bullock from the School of Engineering, and Prof. Richard Allmendinger and Prof. Yu-wang Chen (both AMBS).
