Shell Marine signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kongsberg Digital on Sept. 8 to partner to accelerate decarbonization and energy transition initiatives in the maritime industry, according to a press release.

Kongsberg will combine its digital data infrastructure solutions, applications and open ecosystems with Shell's Technical and Digital Services portfolio to improve performance while cutting running and maintenance costs for maritime customers, the release stated.

The MoU was signed at the SMM maritime trade fair in Hamburg this week. Through this partnership, the two companies will develop joint solutions, enhance their portfolios and test their capabilities with pilot projects to strengthen their service offerings to the industry.

“Partnerships and technical services play a key role in shipping decarbonization given the scale of the challenge ahead," Shell Marine general manager of services and technical Marcus Schaerer commented in the release.

"Shell and Kongsberg have long worked closely to optimize vessel efficiency and operations, and I am pleased that this MoU further underscores this collaboration.”

In addition to signing this MoU, Kongsberg Digital has supplied Shell with its Kognitwin digital twin for its Norwegian Nyhamna Gas facility.

Kongsberg Digital vice president of digital ocean applications Anders Bryhni said in the release that the maritime industry needs to employ increased uptime and reliability to operate vessels in a more efficient manner.

“The energy transition for the maritime sector will involve new types of fuel, new technology and new ways of working, as the industry pushes towards decarbonization," he added. "KDI and Shell both see the urgent need to support their maritime customers through the energy transition."