P&O Maritime Logistics is advancing its fleet digitalisation plans through a new agreement with Onboard, reflecting a growing preference among shipowners for practical tools that strengthen day to day operations. The contract, announced in Rotterdam, sets the stage for the introduction of Onboard’s Maritime IoT Platform across selected harbour towage vessels.
The arrangement focuses on two operating regions where P&O Maritime Logistics manages demanding harbour and terminal activities. Onboard’s system will connect machinery and sensor data from the vessels and present it in real time for both crew and shore teams. According to the company release, crews will also begin using the Onboard Ship App to support job registration and streamline workflows.
These functions are tied to two goals that P&O Maritime Logistics defined as central to the partnership. The first is “meeting and exceeding sustainability targets” through closer monitoring of fuel use and emissions. The second is “optimising vessel utilisation” by gaining a clearer understanding of each vessel’s operating profile.
Onboard’s Chief Commercial Officer Sander Zwanenburg highlighted the shared priorities between the two companies. “We are proud to support P&O Maritime Logistics in this important step toward smarter, more efficient operations,” he said. “Their focus on sustainability and operational excellence aligns perfectly with what our platform delivers.”
For P&O Maritime Logistics, the move signals steady progress in a wider effort to strengthen performance in ports where precision and availability matter. Real time data can help technical teams respond more quickly to developing issues and give managers a consistent picture of vessel condition and activity. It can also reduce the administrative load on crews by replacing manual entries with automated reporting.
Implementation is scheduled to begin at the start of 2026, with both sides preparing for a coordinated rollout. The companies have stated that the focus will be on a smooth transition and early value generation, which remains a priority for operators seeking practical digital tools rather than experimental concepts.
