Maritime technology specialist Tymor Marine has won the IT Solutions Award – Marine at the International Bulk Journal Awards, which were held at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool on 17 November 2025.
The award recognises Tymor’s development of DRFT MRKS, a groundbreaking app designed to improve the accuracy, reliability and digital traceability of the draft survey process.
Bringing together hundreds of international guests from some of the world's leading maritime companies, the IBJ Awards are established as a benchmark for excellence across the global bulk shipping industry. The IBJ judges commended Tymor Marine for the groundbreaking nature of the app, which ‘revolutionises draft surveying by digitising and automating the process’.
DRFT MRKS uses AI and Deep Learning to analyse short smartphone video clips of draft marks and produce fast, accurate and verifiable readings, typically in around three minutes.
By replacing the subjective nature of manual draft surveys with a consistent, automated process, the app helps operators, shipowners and cargo stakeholders reduce discrepancies and improve confidence at loading and discharge.
A secure, time-stamped digital record is created for every survey, providing full audit traceability and an objective basis for dispute resolution. The app stores the last ten analysed videos in the free version, while subscription users have access to their full video library and extended functionality. This supports users who require repeatable, defensible data throughout their operations.
Draft Reading Discrepancies: A Costly Issue for the Sector
Measurement discrepancies remain a significant issue within bulk shipping. According to a 2023 report by The Swedish Club, 63 percent of claims involving grain bulkers were linked to cargo discrepancies, with an average claim of 35,000 US dollars. Although individual claims are often modest, the cumulative impact is substantial, making up almost half of the insurer’s total claims costs for grain cargoes. DRFT MRKS helps address one of the key causes of such disputes by reducing human error in draft mark interpretation.
The app’s AI-driven algorithms are trained to recognise draft marks even in challenging conditions, including rusted or faded markings, marine growth, wave swell and variable lighting. This allows the technology to deliver reliable readings in real-world maritime environments where visibility and precision can be difficult to achieve.
The video capture feature also allows data collection from safer distances using handheld devices or drones, supporting improved safety by minimising the need for close-proximity readings against the hull.
Although originally developed for shipping, DRFT MRKS is now being used in a wider range of scenarios, including semi-submersible operations, offshore windfarm monitoring, salvage operations, tide and water-level monitoring and flood-risk assessment.
The app was developed with the support of the University of Edinburgh, CENSIS and Scottish Enterprise, who helped refine and test the Deep Learning engine for use in real-world marine conditions.
Kevin Moran, managing director of Tymor Marine, said: “Bulk shipping has been central to the development of DRFT MRKS, and this award reflects the practical value the technology is delivering across the sector. Our aim has always been to provide a reliable, digital-first solution that improves accuracy, reduces disputes and gives operators confidence in their measurement data.”
DRFT MRKS is available for free download from Google Play and the Apple App Store. The app is compatible with iOS 12+ and Android 8+.
More information can be found at www.drft-mrks.ai