Singapore’s Ascenz widens maritime tech solutions, eyes Europe market

Building on from its core remote fuel monitoring system, the 2008-established Ascenz has launched Shipulse, a proprietary shipboard data and analytical tool designed to integrate with shipboard sensors, collect, aggregate and transmit data via both satellite and GSM networks, liken to transforming the vessel into a ‘smart ship’.

The company believes shipowners are increasingly moving towards smart shipping, and focusing on performance optimisation and energy efficiency across their fleet.

“We have moved on from previously being just a provider of hardware to doing a lot more on data acquisition and solution driven tools, enabling fleet managers onshore to make better decisions,” Gary Ong, director – corporate at Ascenz, told Seatrade Maritime News.

The suite of products as part of Shipulse includes the installation of the Coriolis flow meter, touchscreen dashboard for realtime visualisation of performance, live monitoring of bunkering activity, and a carbon compliance reporting system that is currently under development.

“Our technology development roadmap now extends beyond the next two to three years,” Ong said.

Ascenz’s techology solutions are suitable for all types of ships, but they are now mostly used by workboats, tugs, offshore vessels, oil tankers and containerships. The Singapore-based company has built up a network of client base in the Asian region, including container lines Evergreen, Yang Ming, Pacific International Lines (PIL), and oil tanker and bunker tanker owner Universal Energy.

The larger ship types that have installed Ascenz’s products include VLCCs and 15,000 teu container vessels.

The fast-growing technology firm has opened new offices in Myanmar, Japan, Taiwan, and China/Hong Kong over the past couple of years, boasting eight offices worldwide to-date.

In April, Ascenz received a SGD1m ($740,000) funding obtained under the Singapore government’s Venture Debt Programme aimed at helping SMEs. Chia Yoong Hui, chief executive of Ascenz, said earlier that the fund will come in handy for R&D and expansion to Europe.

The Europe expansion plan is expected to materialise in the foreseeable future as part of the company’s continual engagement with new markets.