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Viam and Rivertrace partner to advance maritime environmental compliance. Viam, a software platform for marine robotics and automation, is announcing a partnership with Rivertrace, a global leader in oil-in-water quality monitoring. Viam's platform supports Rivertrace in digitalizing and automating critical environmental compliance monitoring aboard commercial maritime vessels. Rivertrace's monitors measure oil content in water discharge, ensuring vessels across marine, offshore, and industrial sectors are in compliance with stringent environmental regulations. Historically, critical compliance data including oil levels, flow rates, and GPS coordinates from Rivertrace monitors has been recorded manually, creating risk of inaccuracies. Discrepancies in oil-in-water logs can lead to ship detention, port delays, and costly compliance violations. Viam provides the infrastructure and AI models to digitally capture precise, real-time data from Rivertrace monitors, enhancing regulatory adherence, streamlining operations, and reducing ocean pollution. "Rivertrace has been a true leader in maritime environmental compliance monitoring for over 40 years," said Viam Founder and CEO, Eliot Horowitz. "The Viam platform brings new levels of accuracy and compliance assurance to Rivertrace's systems, directly benefiting fleet operators, the industry, and the planet." Maritime vessels must strictly maintain discharge oil content below internationally mandated thresholds, typically 15 parts per million (ppm), and the industry is moving toward even stricter standards to protect marine life and ensure clean water. The Rivertrace and Viam collaboration addresses this critical challenge, helping the industry meet evolving environmental goals without disrupting day-to-day operations. A patent application titled Marine Data Recording Apparatus and Method was published by the UK Intellectual Property Office on October 1, 2025, recognizing the advancement achieved through this solution and its contribution to modernizing maritime compliance technology. "Working with Viam has given us a future proof solution. The partnership highlights the benefits of the digital ecosystem within marine, automating previously manual transactions," said Rivertrace Managing Director, Martin Saunders. "Compliance is a key objective for our customers. We look forward to implementing the solution, providing tangible value for our customers." Viam helps companies add cutting-edge capabilities to existing systems and build new ones fast by integrating AI, data and automation. Viam works across the marine sector unlocking operational efficiencies for boat manufacturers and fleet operators while advancing ocean conservation priorities. In conservation, its work includes restoring oyster populations in New York Harbor in partnership with the Billion Oyster Project and preventing whale strikes through real-time monitoring with The Whale and Vessel Safety Taskforce (WAVS). Viam was launched in 2020 by Eliot Horowitz, former co-founder and CTO of publicly traded database giant MongoDB. Earlier this year, the company closed a Series C funding round led by Union Square Ventures and joined by European investment firm Neurone. Viam continues to expand its footprint across the US and Europe, including partnerships with leading global manufacturers and marine tech organizations in the UK, Italy, and Norway. In November, Viam introduced its robotic block sanding system and surface-finishing capabilities to European boatbuilders at Metstrade 2025 in Amsterdam, further expanding its automation work in the region. The system is now on display at Viam's new R+D center in Italy, a hub for collaboration with European manufacturers.

Can AI end the compliance guesswork behind 15 ppm oil discharge limits? From manual logs to machine certainty at sea. For decades, environmental compliance on board commercial vessels has relied on a mix of trusted equipment and human record keeping. That balance is now being challenged. Viam and Rivertrace have announced a partnership that directly targets one of shipping's most persistent risks. Inaccurate oil in water discharge records. Rivertrace's monitoring systems are widely installed across marine, offshore, and industrial fleets, measuring oil content in discharged water to ensure compliance with international limits that typically cap discharge at 15 parts per million. Yet while the sensors are precise, the data handling has often been manual. Oil levels, flow rates, timestamps, and GPS positions are commonly logged by crew. That process leaves room for human error, disputes during inspections, and in some cases vessel detention. Viam's platform is now being integrated into Rivertrace systems to automate that data capture in real time. The goal is straightforward. Remove ambiguity from compliance records and make the data defensible. Why compliance data has become a commercial risk. As port state control regimes tighten and environmental scrutiny increases, discrepancies in oil record books can trigger costly delays. A single inconsistency can lead to extended inspections or off hire time. For operators already managing thin margins, that risk is no longer theoretical. According to Eliot Horowitz, the partnership focuses on accuracy rather than disruption. AI models record and contextualise discharge data automatically, reducing the burden on crews while improving traceability. The collaboration has already attracted formal recognition. A patent application titled Marine Data Recording Apparatus and Method was published by the UK Intellectual Property Office in October 2025, highlighting how digital automation can modernise environmental compliance. A broader shift toward automated accountability. For Martin Saunders, the value lies in future proofing. Automating what was once manual creates consistency across fleets and reduces exposure during inspections. The partnership reflects a wider industry question. In an era of stricter discharge standards and digital audits, can shipping still rely on handwritten logs for environmental accountability. "Breakbulk.News publishes editorial content, including news, features and press releases supplied by third-party companies, institutions and PR agencies. Third parties who submit material to us are solely responsible for ensuring that all text, images, logos and other content they provide are accurate and that they hold all necessary rights, licences and permissions for news use. By submitting content to Breakbulk.News, contributors represent and warrant that their material does not infringe the rights (including copyright and related rights) of any third party and agree to indemnify Breakbulk.News in respect of any claims arising from their submissions. If you believe any content on our site infringes your rights, please contact us at [email protected] with full details and we will investigate promptly..."

Viam's solution enables more consistent and efficient fiberglass sanding, addressing a major manufacturing challenge across marine and other sectorsWASHINGTON, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Viam, the engineering platform for data, AI and automation, today announced a partnership with Viking Yachts, a global leader in sportfishing and cruising yachts with 1 million square feet of manufacturing facilities in New Jersey. Integration of Viam's technology to support fiberglass sanding—critical in yacht construction—will enhance efficiency and consistency through intelligent automation, complementing the skills of Viking's craftsmen