Bureau Veritas and NukkAI collaborate on AI-powered scheduling optimization

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has partnered with French AI start-up NukkAI to develop a proof-of-concept (POC) project for an AI-powered agentic tool aimed at transforming surveyor scheduling. 

Unplanned delays or early arrivals of ships — often due to weather conditions or operational factors — frequently disrupt surveyor schedules, leading to inefficiencies and lost productivity. The AI agents are being designed to quickly absorb changes to vessel timings and recalculate a new, optimized surveyor schedule while keeping humans in the loop. The agents are also planned to be developed to eventually use open-source data, such as Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), weather forecasts, and additional data sources, to predict changes in ships’ expected times of arrival (ETA).

By integrating this capability into BV's scheduling platform, MyChronos, this agentic tool will enable near real-time optimization of surveyor assignments. For example, if a vessel's arrival in Singapore is delayed due to congestion, the system will integrate the change to the vessels ETA and quickly recalculate an optimized surveyor schedule, delivered in a smooth and continuous human-agent interaction. This helps ensure that surveyors’ time is utilized more effectively, minimizing downtime and disruptions while maintaining seamless service for clients.

The POC project will initially focus on scheduling optimization for Singapore’s in-service vessel inspectors. Its seamless integration into MyChronos will allow existing workflows to remain uninterrupted while benefiting from the agents' advanced capabilities. The AI tool is designed to deliver immediate benefits in operational efficiency. Future development plans include expanding its application to global ports, and other Bureau Veritas Group activities. The POC project is slated to begin in Q1 2025, targeting measurable improvements in surveyor scheduling efficiency and client satisfaction.

This collaboration stems from the partnership between BV and NukkAI, fostered through ZEBOX, a corporate innovation hub launched by CMA CGM. ZEBOX connects industry leaders with start-ups, enabling groundbreaking advancements across maritime and logistics sectors. Through this initiative, BV continues to embrace digital innovation to drive efficiency and enhance services for our stakeholders.