Shipping Technology launches "ST Brain Lite": plug-and- play digitisation for chartered inland vessels

Shipping Technology, the Rotterdam-based inland shipping technology company, is launching ST Brain Lite – a compact, easy-to-install onboard intelligence unit that brings real-time data connectivity to chartered vessels.

Danser Group, however, has already partially automated these processes. The company manages eight owned vessels, and relies on an additional 70 chartered ships to operate its liner services. To manage this fleet efficiently, they now take this approach even further by installing the ST Brain Lite fleetwide.

ST Brain Lite is a small onboard computer that connects to the vessel’s existing systems - GPS, AIS, loading systems and, where applicable, tank monitoring or container stowage software – and transmits data in real time. Not only to a secure cloud dashboard but directly into the operators’ system as well. The unit requires no complex integrations and is designed to be installed by the crew themselves, with remote activation support from Shipping Technology’s office team.

The data package captured by ST Brain Lite covers two core areas:

1.  Vessel position and planning data: location, speed, and estimated time of arrival, enabling operators to accurately manage fleet movements.

2.  Fuel consumption and emissions data: supporting sustainability reporting and enabling a.o. vessels calling at Rotterdam to qualify for a 5% port fee discount through the Green Award emission certification scheme

The launch of ST Brain Lite marks a strategic expansion of Shipping Technology’s mission to accelerate digitalisation across the inland shipping industry. Until now, investments in onboard digitalisation were primarily driven by ship owners, partly incentivised by insurers or financing institutions.

ST Brain Lite changes that dynamic. For the first time, logistics operators, who depend heavily on chartered vessels, can actively drive digitalisation within the fleets they operate. This improves transparency, operational efficiency and supply chain integration across the inland shipping ecosystem.