A regular feature of VIKAND Pulse, we are proud to highlight our partners and collaborators. Together, our united efforts benefit seafarers through proactive healthcare, innovative technologies, and a global community of providers who promulgate a culture of care.  

In this issue, we share a conversation with Scoutbase Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Mads Ragnvald Nielsen. Be sure to read Mads’ thoughts on the most important advancement in maritime safety in recent years.

VIKAND—Please describe your company and industry reach. 

Mads—Scoutbase is a Denmark-based tech company delivering a new generation of safety and well-being tools for the maritime and offshore industries. Our in-house developed solution automatically collects anonymous feedback from seafarers and shore-based personnel on safety and critical issues from mental health to crew engagement that provide unique real-time insights across fleets to bring the quality of operations to a higher standard.  

VIKAND—How long has your company been in business and in the maritime industry? 

Mads—Since its inception in 2017, Scoutbase has been an active player in the maritime industry with a foothold in the tanker segment and expanding to other sectors of the industry, including shoreside operations. The company was "born" with the unique purpose of enhancing maritime safety and crew well-being. 

VIKAND—Name a “highlight” or two of a contribution to the maritime industry of which you are proud? 

Mads—In close to real-time, the Scoutbase platform reveals the conditions on board that are generated directly by the crew which allows maritime organisations using Scoutbase to work systematically to continuously improve, and proactively better the conditions in which seafarers need to perform. Collected insights from the Scoutbase platform can be used in various aspects within maritime operations to qualify decisions and improve the overall quality of decision-making. These real time insights into the work and life of crew on board are something that has not been possible before Scoutbase.

Insights emerging from the Scoutbase platform have already helped shipping companies make positive changes to impact important maritime safety and well-being challenges such as quality of sleep and fatigue.

After a rigorous selection process—reviewing several dozen contenders from around the world—Scoutbase was selected to enter the Waypoint programme. Waypoint is Safetytech Accelerator’s programme which fast-tracks cutting edge technology companies into the maritime market. Safetytech Accelerator, established by Lloyd’s Register, is passionate about the role of innovation in improving safety and minimising risk in maritime. In this engagement, Safetytech Accelerator worked with Scoutbase to take our business forward in the area of crew well-being.  

VIKAND—What do you believe is the most significant advancement in the maritime in recent years and, more specifically, in your organisation’s area of expertise? 

Mads—Internet is a top priority for seafarers; its importance is continually manifested in various studies of maritime well-being. The good news is that access to internet on board is becoming mandatory, and that technology allows for even more bandwidth. More, the providers of internet connectivity simultaneously become potential gatekeepers of the possibilities that emerge which benefits crew. This entails great responsibility.  

VIKAND—What is the biggest challenge the global maritime industry faces? Tell us about your strategy to overcome it.  

Mads—What the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the war in Ukraine have underlined is the impact of the conditions on board for seafarers and their families. Thus, the industry has enhanced its focus on seafarers’ human sustainability and the need to act. One challenge, however, is to know which action to take to create the positive change for the benefit of the seafarers. At Scoutbase we are trying to help this by granting crew a strong voice through our platform. 

VIKAND—Tell us about your team. 

Mads—Scoutbase brings together years of experience in understanding and solving problems at sea and on shore. Our interdisciplinary team combines safety, science, psychology, design thinking and technology to help improve work and life at sea. We are made of seasoned mariners, designers, IT engineers, psychologists, human factors’ specialists and commercial people, all working in a fully contemporary remote fashion across the globe.