DeepSea Charts the Course for Smart, Self-Running Ships
The age of autonomous shipping is no longer a distant vision – it’s set to begin as early as 2026, according to Konstantinos Kyriakopoulos, CEO and co-founder of DeepSea Technologies, one of the maritime industry’s most recognized AI innovators. In an interview with Maritime CEO, reported by Splash 247, Kyriakopoulos predicted that next year will mark the takeoff of propulsion automation. This development will pave the way for fully autonomous navigation in the years to follow. Several leading ship operators have been quietly testing DeepSea’s technologies, with results expected to be unveiled in 2026.
Kyriakopoulos described the coming five years as the most transformative period of digitalisation the maritime sector has ever seen. “We’ve moved past the era of half-baked proof-of-concepts,” he said, adding that the next phase will be defined by real adoption, seamless data integration, and tangible results.
Founded in 2017 by Kyriakopoulos and Roberto Coustas, DeepSea was acquired by Japan’s Nabtesco Corporation in 2023. The company’s flagship innovation, HyperPilot, fully certified by DNV as the first device of its kind, is currently undergoing trials with several of the world’s largest fleets.
Kyriakopoulos emphasized that DeepSea’s approach goes beyond simple automation, focusing on optimisation across every aspect of a vessel. The company’s mission is to enhance efficiency by integrating hull and engine performance, as well as crew behaviour, using advanced artificial intelligence.
