May 22, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(OTTAWA) – Canada’s Ocean Supercluster today announced three new ocean innovation projects worth over $12 million during the Ambition 2035 Summit in Ottawa, including the $2.5 million SafeOcean AI: Transforming Safety and Productivity in the Ocean Sector Project led by Training Works. The SafeOcean AI Project will address two key challenges in the ocean sector: safety and operational productivity, using advanced AI-driven technologies.
To enhance safety in the ocean sector, Training Works will expand their “Internet of Safety” tools, Skilltinuous and FatigueDefence, with the development of a new tool: HazardDefence. Integrating HazardDefence into their suite of safety tools, the new tool will use rapid video monitoring and AI algorithms for real-time hazard detection and intervention. Designed to be adaptable across various ocean environments, the tool will be shaped by feedback from frontline workers to ensure practical, results-driven improvements to safety.
On the productivity front, Alooki will develop an AI-based productivity algorithm to be integrated into their existing optimization platform. This work will focus on streamlining marine operations automations and data-driven insights, improving efficiency and productivity across the ocean sector.
This project is led by St. John’s, NL-based Training Works, in partnership with Alooki in Paradise, NL, DeepSense in Halifax, NS, Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, in Iqaluit, NU, and Sea1 Offshore Canada, in St. John’s, NL. With a total project value of $2.5M, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is investing $1.1M with the balance of funding coming from project partners.
Through Ambition 2035 and together with Canada’s ocean community, we are bold in our ambition to grow Canada’s ocean economy 5X to $220 billion by 2035. Continued investment in the accelerated development and commercialization of globally relevant, made in Canada ocean solutions, including the projects announced today, will help us realize this ambition. Read more about recommendations to help achieve this transformational growth opportunity outlined in Charting the Course to 5X Growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy.
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Media Contacts
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 120 projects valued at more than $500 million, which will deliver more than 300 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world.
Quotes
“The Ambition 2035 Summit and the SafeOcean AI project, supported by the Ocean Supercluster, one of our Global Innovation Clusters, align with the Government of Canada’s commitment to building a stronger and more resilient Canada. We are working together toward a more sustainable and prosperous future—one where healthy, thriving ocean ecosystems remain at the heart of our vision for generations to come.” – The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
“By leveraging front line feedback from Canadian workers to inform AI applications, projects like this one will not only enable organizations across the ocean sector to operate more reliably and cost-effectively, but it will also showcase made in Canada ocean technology, helping to solidify our position as an ocean nation.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“Safety is crucial to a thriving ocean economy. The SafeOcean AI project builds on our decade of hands-on experience working with frontline workers and organizations in high-risk marine environments. By integrating real-time hazard detection powered by AI, machine learning, and video monitoring, into our Internet of Safety, we are advancing to a new level of intelligent safety and risk management. Combined with our existing tools, FatigueDefence and Skilltinuous, our system is designed to predict risk and trigger timely interventions before accidents occur. This work is about empowering workers, safeguarding lives, and helping organizations operate more safely and effectively across the blue economy.” – Tamara Vatcher, CEO, Training Works