Ericsson and Net Feasa Partner for 5G and Agentic AI at Sea

Cargo ships crossing the world’s oceans are becoming another frontier for telcos as Ericsson and Net Feasa roll out carrier-grade 4G and 5G networks for container fleets.

At the core of the partnership is a growing demand from shipping operators for constant connectivity far beyond the reach of terrestrial mobile networks.

With ports investing in 5G infrastructure and logistics firms pushing for real-time cargo monitoring, the maritime sector is emerging as a fresh battleground for telco-led digital transformation.

Ericsson and Irish IoT specialist Net Feasa position cellular connectivity as the foundation for data-heavy maritime operations.

The companies say the platform is already being deployed globally, with connectivity extending from ship to shore through low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite links and cloud-based 5G core services.

Shipping becomes a new telco opportunity

The tie-up gives maritime operators onboard private cellular networks that move with vessels across global shipping routes.

Ships gain secure 4G and 5G connectivity capable of supporting large volumes of operational and cargo data in real time.

Ericsson says the partnership starts with container vessels but has wider ambitions across the shipping industry.

The companies are targeting vessel owners, port operators and logistics firms looking for end-to-end cargo visibility throughout a voyage.

Andres Vicente, Head of Southeast Asia, Oceania and India at Ericsson, says: “Maritime operators need secure, reliable connectivity that follows the vessel, wherever it sails.

“Alongside Net Feasa, we are bringing onboard 4G and 5G cellular networks to the world's container fleets, establishing the foundation for data driven operations and AI enabled services from ship to shore.

“With container vessels as our starting point, the scope of what we can achieve across the entire global shipping industry is immense.

“Together, we are shaping the future of connected, intelligent shipping."

The deployment is driven from Singapore, which continues to strengthen its position as a global maritime and telco hub.

The companies say their system supports thousands of connected assets on a single vessel while maintaining carrier-grade performance.

For operators, the appeal is less about consumer connectivity and more about operational data.

Shipping firms increasingly want constant updates on cargo condition, location and safety, particularly for temperature-sensitive or regulated goods.

AI and IoT push deeper into logistics

Net Feasa’s Agentic Control Tower platform, which the companies describe as the only platform currently offering full visibility across all smart-enabled containers onboard a vessel.

The system gathers and analyses data from connected assets to support automated operational decisions across supply chains.

Ericsson and Net Feasa position this as an “agentic AI-ready” environment, meaning data can feed autonomous or semi-autonomous software systems that respond to changing conditions without waiting for manual intervention.

Mike Fitzgerald, Chairman and Founder, Net Feasa, says: “Digitalisation of the intermodal supply chain is at a tipping point.

“With the advent of agentic AI, we are gathering data from everything that moves, analysing and securing this data and empowering carriers to act on this data across their operations.

“This landmark partnership has the potential to transform the global maritime industry not just from an operational efficiency perspective but across employee safety, cargo risk reduction and compliance.”

The practical use cases are already stacking up.

Reefer monitoring allows operators to track refrigerated containers carrying perishable goods, while early heat detection can identify cargo risks before they escalate.

Dangerous goods handling also becomes easier when operators receive live alerts during a voyage rather than after a ship reaches port.

Even small changes in cargo conditions can create wider supply chain issues, but real-time connectivity allows operators to respond immediately.

Ericsson extends enterprise 5G reach

Ericsson and Net Feasa's partnership highlights another enterprise-focused use case for private and managed 5G services.

Maritime operations present difficult connectivity conditions because vessels move between jurisdictions, frequency environments and coverage zones.

Net Feasa tackles this by deploying compact onboard radio access systems designed to minimise power and space requirements.

The company’s infrastructure supports multiple frequency bands, allowing vessels to maintain connectivity across different regions.

The onboard systems use Ericsson Radio System products including Radio 4490HP, Radio 2271, Radio Processor 6355 and Power 6309.

Ericsson On-Demand provides the cloud-based 5G core network, while low-earth orbit satellites handle backhaul connectivity between vessels and the wider network.

The partnership also points to how telco vendors increasingly view non-traditional sectors as long-term growth areas for enterprise connectivity.

As shipping firms digitise fleets and ports expand smart infrastructure projects, telco providers are moving deeper into logistics operations rather than simply supplying connectivity pipes.

Ericsson and Net Feasa say the roadmap extends beyond container ships, with future plans covering additional vessel types and expanded connectivity into ports.

The goal is continuous SIM-managed visibility across maritime supply chains, linking ships, cargo and port infrastructure through a single connected environment.