American maritime technology firm Mythos AI has deployed its Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) aboard the CB Pacific, a chemical cargo vessel owned by CB Tankers, marking a new step in the adoption of AI-driven navigation tools for commercial shipping.
The year-long trial, developed in partnership with lomarlabs, is designed to test how APAS can improve safety and decision-making at sea. Unlike traditional systems that rely heavily on machine vision, APAS takes a radar-first approach, connecting directly to the ship’s radar while combining it with other sensors. This setup streamlines vast amounts of data into clear, actionable insights for the crew, enhancing situational awareness without removing human judgment from the navigation process.
“Our goal isn’t to replace the crew—it’s to equip them with next-generation capabilities,” said Geoff Douglass, CEO of Mythos AI. “By integrating radar perception, machine vision, and intelligent alerting with vessel dynamics, APAS turns complex scenarios into simple, actionable decisions that strengthen both safety and resilience.”
The CB Pacific was selected for the trial because of its predictable shipping routes and reliable Furuno radar system. This follows the first APAS installation earlier this year aboard a Southern Devall towboat on the Mississippi River. Together, these pilots represent early moves to introduce bridge intelligence technology to global shipping.
According to Douglass, collaborating with lomarlabs and CB Tankers allows APAS to learn from experienced mariners and adapt to diverse port conditions worldwide, building a foundation for future fleet-wide adoption.
The trial will also test compliance with COLREG, the international maritime rules designed to prevent collisions at sea, ensuring the technology can operate safely under real-world conditions.
Stylianos Papageorgiou, managing director of lomarlabs, emphasized the importance of operational testing in driving progress.
“Real innovation doesn’t happen in pitch decks. It happens in real-time operations, port calls, dry docks, and sea trials,” he said.
With rising interest from both commercial operators and the defense sector, the APAS project highlights a growing push to blend artificial intelligence with maritime navigation—supporting human crews rather than replacing them.
