Net Feasa and Ericsson Build the Connectivity Layer That Agentic AI Has Been Waving At

Most maritime conversations about agentic AI gloss over a basic question: how does the data move? Irish IoT specialist Net Feasa and Swedish telecoms equipment maker Ericsson announced a partnership on 19 May to bring carrier-grade 4G and 5G cellular connectivity onboard container vessels, paired with an agentic AI data layer — putting a named, telco-grade infrastructure under the connected-vessel pitch. What the platform delivers: The partnership combines secure onboard cellular networks with agentic AI-ready data processing, designed to give vessel owners, shipping companies and port operators real-time end-to-end visibility of cargo from departure to destination. The architecture supports cargo visibility, employee safety, risk reduction and compliance as workflows that draw on the same connectivity stack. Andres Vicente, Head of Southeast Asia, Oceania and India at Ericsson, framed the proposition: "Maritime operators need secure, reliable connectivity that follows the vessel, wherever it sails." Mike Fitzgerald, Chairman and Founder of Net Feasa, described the digitalisation of the intermodal supply chain as being "at a tipping point" with agentic AI as the operating layer that turns sensor data into action. Why the choice of partner matters: Net Feasa has been building maritime IoT for years, but adding Ericsson — a tier-one telecoms equipment vendor with carrier-grade hardware — turns a bespoke maritime IoT project into something closer to the kind of cellular infrastructure that ports already deploy for landside automation. The growth of 5G in major ports has shown that sea-based supply-chain services can benefit from connectivity treated as utility-grade infrastructure rather than as one-off project deployments. The roadmap extends to other vessel types and port environments, with SIM-managed visibility across a connected maritime supply chain. Why this matters for ship managers: Two practical points stand out. First, agentic AI workflows depend on data moving reliably between vessel, port, terminal and shore systems — and most onboard connectivity today is not built to that standard. If your IT roadmap includes anything that calls itself "agentic" or "autonomous", the connectivity layer underneath needs the same engineering attention as the application layer. Second, the choice between satellite-only, cellular-only and hybrid connectivity is now a strategic decision with operational consequences. The Net Feasa–Ericsson model is cellular-led; the AD Ports approach (covered in our research this fortnight) is fibre plus LEO satellite plus cellular. Ship managers should expect connectivity vendors to start positioning around named architectures rather than generic bandwidth — and procurement criteria need to evolve accordingly. The infrastructure layer is finally getting the attention it deserves. [Splash247 · Intelligent CIO Europe]

This story is part of the Maritime AI Digest of 24 May 2026.