08 January 2026

Maritime navigation specialist Bogerd Martin is advancing practical ocean conservation with the Whale Guardians initiative: an ecological, data-driven insight and routing solution developed together with non-profit Whale Guardians™ and satellite data partner LuxSpace. The initiative brings detailed whale and habitat information directly into vessels’ route planning, helping mariners actively reduce their impact on vulnerable whale populations while maintaining safe and efficient operations.

Whale experts estimate that hundreds, possibly thousands of whales are killed or injured every year by collisions with ships. Although this number is uncertain, as most strikes are never detected or reported, the toll is believed to be mounting and has profound ecological consequences. Whales are crucial to keeping our oceans and planet healthy. They play a key role in fertilising surface waters and supporting marine biodiversity. As great whales continue to disappear, both marine ecosystems and the stability of the global climate are being put at risk.

By integrating whale occurrence data, seasonal migration patterns, known high‑risk areas and regulatory zones into nautical charts and navigational tools, Bogerd Martin enables ships to adjust course and speed to significantly lower the risk of whale strikes. The system brings together complex ecological datasets from whale biologists, citizen science and other whale‑monitoring initiatives, and combines these with operational and efficiency considerations such as existing shipping lanes, fuel consumption, planning limitations and weather windows. These insights are translated into clear, operational guidance for navigators, who can then change their voyage planning accordingly or take other measures to avoid whale collisions in a safe and economical manner.

“Shipping is the backbone of global trade, but it also operates in some of the most sensitive marine habitats,” said Céline Mortier, CEO at Bogerd Martin. “By partnering with Whale Guardians, we are giving ship operators practical, data-driven tools to reroute efficiently where possible and sail with greater awareness of the living ecosystems around them. We’re all sharing the same ocean space, so we need to respect one another. Whale routing is a concrete way to ensure the maritime industry and marine life can thrive side by side.”

In October 2025, the initiative was awarded the Blue Innovation Swell Award by Blue Cluster, the network of innovative organisations in the sustainable blue economy. The Blue Innovation Swell Award was focused specifically on innovative partnerships in the blue economy.

 

About Bogerd Martin
Bogerd Martin is a leading provider of maritime solutions, committed to enhancing safety, security, and efficiency at sea. Through innovative technologies and expert support, the company empowers operators to navigate the challenges of the modern maritime environment with confidence.
More information: https://www.bogerdmartin.com

About Whale Guardians
Whale Guardians™ is an international program for whale ship strike prevention dedicated to establishing Whale Guardians™ Certified Shipping in order to help the world’s great whales recover toward pre-whaling populations by combining scientific expertise, technology and close collaboration with the maritime sector.
More information: https://www.whaleguardians.org/

About LuxSpace
LuxSpace is the first provider of small satellite systems, and spacebased applications and services in Luxembourg.
More information: https://space-agency.public.lu/