Fellows spotlight

Where engineering meets data

Soma’s work sits at the intersection of sensor data, physics-based reasoning and AI/ML, an evolving space that is rapidly reshaping how maritime assets are monitored and managed. He believes data has become the backbone of our future capabilities, underpinning the next generation of digital twins, edge analytics and autonomous or unmanned platform operations. For customers facing increasing environmental, operational and cost pressures, the ability to harness real-time intelligence is becoming essential - not optional.

Supporting our customers through smarter digital tools

A central theme in Soma’s work is ensuring that digital solutions remain open, cloud-agnostic, trustworthy and genuinely usable. From ports to offshore structures, operators need decision-support tools they can rely on in the moment - not overly complex systems or black-box algorithms. Soma’s philosophy is that good digital engineering happens when data governance, physics, domain expertise and user-centric design all converge into tools that empower operators, not overwhelm them.

"The magic of data is everywhere in our daily lives - bringing that same real-time intelligence to maritime operations is what drives my work."

Research focus: data-driven digital applications for resilient maritime assets

Soma’s Fellowship project explores how data-driven methods can predict asset health, enhance productivity, and improve safety, ultimately reducing downtime across maritime platforms. His research covers:

• predictive analytics for offshore structures and critical components,
• real-time insights for dredging and coastal operations,
• edge-based data processing for unmanned and autonomous vessels,
• practical AI/ML integrations that augment engineering judgement rather than replace it.

Working closely with data scientists, instrumentation engineers, domain specialists and our software teams, Soma has developed multiple proofs-of-concept demonstrating how advanced analytics can unlock step-changes in operational performance.

Soma thrives in multidisciplinary environments, collaborating daily across global BMT teams to accelerate digital capability. His research directly supports our strategic direction: enabling customers to operate smarter, safer and more efficiently through data-enabled decision making. As maritime systems become more automated and more instrumented, our ability to deliver sound, scalable digital tools is critical - and Soma’s work is helping define that path.

What inspires Soma

For Soma, inspiration comes from the “everyday magic of data” - the seamless orchestration behind everyday conveniences like food arriving hot or transport showing up on cue. He envisions that same intelligence transforming maritime operations, where real-time data and predictive insight become standard for every operator, vessel and fleet.

The BMT Fellowship gives Soma the space to pursue that vision, share it across the organisation, and learn from peers who challenge and elevate his thinking. It strengthens his long-term mission: building digital tools that make maritime assets more resilient, operations more predictable, and decisions more informed.

Capability Manager IS Software and DEEP

Want to learn more about Soma's role or the data analytics services we offer? Connect with him on LinkedIn.