Matson Pioneers Marine Safety with WhaleSpotter AI Detection System

by Prathik Jayaprakash

Matson, Inc. ("Matson") today announced a product agreement with WhaleSpotter Corp. ("WhaleSpotter") to purchase and deploy a groundbreaking whale detection system developed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). This makes Matson the first container shipping company to implement this advanced marine protection technology.

Developed at WHOI with critical support from Matson and other contributors, the WhaleSpotter system is a state-of-the-art solution. It combines thermal imaging and AI-driven detection with 24/7 real-time verified monitoring to reliably spot whales up to three nautical miles away, regardless of the time of day or night. The system’s immediate alerts provide vessel crews with a vital opportunity to adjust their course and speed, significantly reducing the risk of whale strikes.

Matson has been instrumental in the system's development. In 2023, the company provided WHOI with a $1 million research grant, along with access to its vessels and crews for testing.

Since then, Matson has successfully trialed three WhaleSpotter units on its containerships and has now ordered four additional units for vessels operating in the Hawaii and Alaska lanes. Field deployments on Matson ships have confirmed that WhaleSpotter can detect surfacing whales miles away and deliver verified alerts within seconds.

"The technology is remarkable, and it has now been refined to meet our zero-false-alert requirements," said Matt Cox, Chairman and CEO of Matson. "Our crews are enthusiastic about this new tool and are already using it to actively help protect whales."

"Matson has been a true partner—not just in the research phase but through every step of refinement and testing," said Shawn Henry, CEO of WhaleSpotter. "Their operational feedback on installation, connectivity, and user experience has been essential in preparing the system for large-scale commercial deployment. Together, we are proving that advanced technology can effectively protect marine life while simultaneously improving maritime operations."

WhaleSpotter was co-founded in 2024 by WHOI scientist Dr. Daniel Zitterbart and Sebastian Richter, co-developer of the AI detection algorithm. Shawn Henry, a veteran technology executive, leads the company’s transition from research to commercial production. WhaleSpotter manufactures the commercial camera units in the USA under an exclusive technology license from WHOI.

WhaleSpotter's first 50 commercial production units are currently deployed, providing vital "eyes on the ocean," with plans to expand deployments across container, cruise, and research vessels worldwide.