Matson, a major shipping company, has teamed up with WhaleSpotter to roll out a new whale detection system. This partnership, announced on November 3, 2025, makes Matson the first container shipping firm to use this advanced tool to protect whales from ship strikes.
The system comes from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and uses thermal imaging and artificial intelligence to spot whales up to three nautical miles away, even at night. Real-time alerts help crews change course and avoid collisions, a growing issue in busy ocean routes.
Partnership Details and Key Players
Matson signed a product agreement with WhaleSpotter Corp. to buy and install the detection units on its ships. This move builds on Matson’s earlier support, including a one million dollar grant to Woods Hole in 2023.
The company has already tested three units on its containerships and ordered four more for routes to Hawaii and Alaska. Crews report the tech works well, with quick alerts that cut false alarms to zero.
WhaleSpotter, founded in 2024 by scientist Daniel Zitterbart and developer Sebastian Richter, handles the commercial side. Shawn Henry, the CEO, praised Matson’s input during tests, which improved the system’s design for real-world use.
This deal highlights how shipping firms are stepping up to protect marine life amid rising concerns over whale deaths from vessels.
How the WhaleSpotter System Works
The WhaleSpotter system blends thermal cameras with AI algorithms to detect whale heat signatures. It scans the ocean surface around the clock and verifies sightings before alerting the bridge.
Alerts arrive in seconds, giving captains time to slow down or steer away. Tests on Matson ships showed it spots surfacing whales from miles off, far better than older methods like visual lookouts.
Unlike basic radar, this tech works in fog, rain, or darkness, making it ideal for high-traffic areas where whales migrate.
Field trials proved its reliability, with no missed detections in controlled settings. This innovation stems from years of research aimed at reducing ship-whale collisions, which kill thousands of whales each year worldwide.
Benefits for Whales and Shipping Industry
This technology tackles a big problem: vessel strikes are a top threat to endangered whales, like humpbacks and blues. By spotting them early, ships can avoid hits, saving lives and preventing costly damage.
For shipping companies, it means safer operations and better compliance with marine protection laws. Matson, which runs routes across the Pacific, sees it as a way to lead in eco-friendly practices.
Experts say wider use could cut strike rates by up to 50 percent in key zones, based on similar AI tools in other fields.
- Reduces risk of whale strikes, protecting endangered species.
- Provides 24/7 monitoring without extra crew workload.
- Improves navigation safety in whale-heavy waters.
- Supports global efforts to lower ocean noise and pollution impacts.
Matson’s CEO, Matt Cox, called the tech remarkable and noted crews are excited to use it for real protection.
The system also gathers data on whale patterns, which could help researchers track populations and migration changes due to climate shifts.
Development History and Recent Advances
Work on WhaleSpotter started at Woods Hole with funding from Matson and others. The 2023 grant sped up progress, allowing tests on actual ships.
By 2025, the system moved from lab to commercial production, with the first 50 units now in use on various vessels. Matson’s trials refined it for tough sea conditions.
This year, related projects popped up, like AI systems for detecting whales via underwater sounds, showing a trend in tech-driven conservation.
A timeline of key milestones shows the rapid growth:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Matson grants $1 million to Woods Hole for research. |
| 2024 | WhaleSpotter founded; initial prototypes tested. |
| 2025 | Commercial units deployed; Matson partnership announced. |
These steps reflect growing awareness of shipping’s role in ocean health, especially after recent whale strandings linked to vessel traffic.
Logical next steps include scaling up for cruise lines and ferries, where passenger safety adds another layer of importance.
Future Plans and Broader Impact
WhaleSpotter aims to expand to more ships worldwide, including cruise and research vessels. Matson plans to equip its full fleet serving sensitive areas by 2026.
This could set a standard for the industry, pushing others to adopt similar tools amid calls for stricter regulations on vessel speeds in whale zones.
With climate change altering migration paths, such tech becomes vital. Recent events, like increased whale sightings near busy ports in 2025, underline the urgency.
Experts predict this partnership could inspire global collaborations, blending business with conservation to safeguard oceans.
What do you think about this tech? Share your thoughts in the comments and pass this article along to spread awareness about marine protection.
