AI-powered digitalization in maritime finance
Reducing emissions and boosting efficiency
Sustainability is no longer optional for the shipping industry—it’s a necessity. With stricter regulations from the IMO (International Maritime Organization), increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, and a growing focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), maritime businesses are turning to technology to improve efficiency and reduce their environmental impact.
One of the fastest and most effective ways to achieve this is through AI-driven digitalization—particularly in finance and administration. Automating accounts payable (AP) with AI (artificial intelligence) can significantly cut paper waste, lower costs, and make shipping operations more sustainable.
AI-powered paperless administration
Cutting emissions across the supply chain
The shipping industry relies heavily on paperwork, from bills of lading and customs documents to invoices and accounting records. Manual processing is time-consuming, error-prone, and environmentally unsustainable.
Our AI-powered AP solution processes over 12 million digital documents annually, saving nearly 2,900 trees every year. By intelligently recognising, categorising, and processing invoices, our system eliminates the need for physical paperwork while ensuring accuracy and compliance.
For shipping companies and maritime suppliers, this means lower costs, fewer errors, and a tangible contribution to sustainability. By digitizing the invoice process with AI, industry players can take a meaningful step towards greener, more efficient operations.
AI-driven efficiency in a high-stakes industry
Time is critical in shipping, where delays can have significant financial consequences. AI-driven AP automation transforms financial workflows by:
- Eliminating manual errors and processing delays with intelligent data extraction and validation.
- Freeing up valuable resources for more strategic business activities instead of administrative tasks.
- Enhancing cash flow management, which is crucial in a capital-intensive industry.
By continuously learning from data, AI can improve accuracy over time, reducing the need for human intervention and ensuring seamless financial operations.
Reducing the maritime carbon footprint with AI and the cloud
Shipping accounts for approximately 3% of global CO₂ emissions, and the industry is under increasing pressure to decarbonise. While fuel efficiency and alternative energy sources are major focuses, AI-powered digitalization also plays a key role in sustainability.
Our cloud-based AP solution reduces the need for physical servers and manual processing. By leveraging Microsoft Azure’s sustainable cloud infrastructure, maritime businesses can significantly lower their energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Previously, a mid-sized company required six servers for its AP operations. Today, AI-driven cloud technology has reduced this to fewer than 0.2 servers per customer, dramatically cutting power usage and environmental impact.
From clutter to control
AI for better transparency and compliance
Traditionally, the shipping industry has struggled with excessive paperwork, from invoices to compliance documents. This creates unnecessary waste and inefficiencies. AI-powered automation transforms financial management by:
- Automatically processing invoices and documents, eliminating the need for paper and manual tasks
- Enhancing financial transparency and fraud detection with AI-driven anomaly detection.
- Improving decision-making with real-time data insights and predictive analytics
AI and sustainability
A smarter future for shipping
The shipping industry is undergoing a major transformation, and AI-driven digitalization is a critical part of the solution. By adopting AP automation with artificial intelligence, shipping companies and maritime suppliers can:
- Reduce paper waste and lower CO₂ emissions.
- Automate financial workflows for greater accuracy and efficiency.
- Gain real-time insights for better decision-making and cost control.
Ready to make a change? Let's talk!
Is your company ready to embrace AI and contribute to a greener shipping industry? Contact us today to learn more about how our AI-powered AP solution eye-share Workflow can help you cut costs, reduce environmental impact, and create a more efficient finance function.
Click the button to book a demo and let's discuss your AP operations and how eye-share can help you achieve your sustainability goals.