Why integration is the bottleneck
Fleets run capable but isolated systems. Data sits in silos, reporting is manual, and formats clash. Integration — moving the right data between systems at the right time — is where most of the practical value (and most of the work) actually is.
APIs, webhooks and events
Modern integration uses REST APIs with JSON for request/response and webhooks for real-time events such as arrivals, alarms or status changes. This replaces slow, batch-style EDI with live, programmatic exchange.
AI-native integration with MCP
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard for connecting AI agents to external tools and data through one uniform interface. Wrapping maritime APIs as MCP servers lets an AI assistant query fleet, tracking and documentation systems directly — effectively an 'API for AI agents'.
Security and class requirements
Connecting systems also widens the attack surface. Cyber-resilience requirements from classification societies (such as IACS unified requirements) and careful data handling are part of any serious integration, not an afterthought.