Every year, approximately 20,000 whales are injured or killed in ship collisions. In response to this growing problem, the OCEANS 2025 Conference that will take place June 16 to 19 in Brest, France, will bring together leading engineers, scientists and other experts to explore innovative solutions to prevent such collisions. 

On the first day of the conference, the Ship/Whale Collisions Workshop will feature presentations on the latest research and cutting-edge technologies designed to reduce ship/whale collisions. These include sonar systems that detect whale presence, AI-based prediction tools, and mapping technologies that provide real-time updates on cetacean movements. Strategies for the maritime industry to safeguard whales’ natural habitats will also be discussed. Additionally, scientists will share ongoing studies and data on whale behavior near ships and the impact of maritime traffic on whale populations. The workshop emphasizes the importance of cross-disciplinary cooperation, as addressing this issue requires input from marine biologists, technologists, policymakers and ship operators. 

Fifty percent of whale species are currently listed as endangered. Ship collisions have become the leading cause of unnatural mortality for large cetaceans and a major threat to the survival of certain populations. The number of whales killed each year in maritime collisions has tripled over the past few decades and continues to rise with the expansion of global maritime traffic. Recent studies indicate that only 7 percent of high-risk zones for ship/whale collisions have implemented protective measures.

Learn more here.