29.07.26 | ports

A Suffolk technology company and Harwich Haven Authority have scooped a national AI award for Capella – a ‘digital-twin’ that helps simulate vessel operations in the Haven.

The team from Entopy, which is based in Newmarket, won the AI SME Business of the Year award jointly with the harbour authority and the University of Essex at the AI Summit London, the UK’s premier gathering for AI professionals and innovators.

The cutting-edge Capella system can simulate and predict ship movements in the Haven as they make their way to Felixstowe, helping the authority guide them safely and efficiently into port.

Toby Mills, CEO of Entopy, said: “We were delighted to receive the joint award win and for Capella to be recognised with this honour.

“The Port of Felixstowe and the operations in the Haven are crucial to UK PLC, and with 40% of all UK containerised trade coming into the port, the impacts on the economy are substantial.

“So to be part of an innovative project which digitalises operations to make them more effective and efficient is a privilege and we have enjoyed every step of the journey so far with Harwich Haven Authority.”

Every vessel movement across the Haven is resource-heavy – requiring link-up between multiple organisations and coordination of pilot availability, safe boarding conditions, tidal windows, and berth availability, all while complying with strict channel-passing rules.

The new technology will help reduce disruptions in the system, improve forecasting, automate situational awareness, and optimise efficiency.

Harbourmaster Will Barker said: “This innovative technology gives valuable insight into the movements of vessels in the haven, helping us to strengthen supply chain performance in and out of the Port of Felixstowe.

“Capella helps identify the optimal arrival time for each vessel and enables ‘just-in-time arrival’, avoiding costly delays and allowing vessels to optimise speeds, reduce fuel costs and emissions.

“The technology supports both planning and live operations, continuously flagging emerging issues to ensure everything runs smoothly.

“It’s a brilliant piece of technology, and we are so pleased the judges at the AI summit have recognised it.

“We would like to thank Entopy for their hard work and expertise in bringing this cutting-edge technology to fruition.”

The National AI Awards judges praised the project as: “A great example of AI being utilised beyond point solutions into a holistic approach to provide an intelligence engine to a complex operational activity.”

Image shows left to right: Harbourmaster Will Barker and Entopy CEO Toby Mills.

Photo Credit: Harwich Haven Authority