What inspired you to participate in the Global Tech Awards?

We saw the Global Tech Awards as an opportunity to spotlight the transformation underway in one of the most overlooked yet critical sectors in logistics—barge transportation. While tech innovation has rapidly reshaped trucking, rail and even ocean transport, barge transportation has remained largely manual and disjointed. We wanted to share how OpenTug is bringing modern visibility and automation to this vital mode of transport, helping the industry move toward a more sustainable, efficient, and connected future.

Can you share a brief overview of the project or innovation you submitted?

We submitted BargeOS, our integrated marine logistics software platform built specifically for barge logistics. BargeOS streamlines quoting, booking, tracking, and reporting, with AI-driven features that put users in control, enhancing operational efficiency without disrupting existing workflows. From automatically turning email traffic reports into structured data, to forecasting delays and optimizing routes, BargeOS helps operators and shippers work smarter—not harder—across every step of the voyage.

What impact do you hope your innovation will have on the tech industry or society at large?

Our goal is to make barge transportation as transparent and connected as other modes of logistics. By improving visibility and reducing inefficiencies, we’re not only saving operators time and money—we're also reducing emissions and amplifying the environmental advantages of barge transportation. In the long term, we hope our work will inspire broader investment in the infrastructure and maintenance of our inland and coastal waterways, while demonstrating how digitization can unlock meaningful gains in both economic and environmental performance.

Any advice or insights for aspiring innovators and tech professionals?

Don’t overlook legacy industries. Some of the most meaningful opportunities for innovation lie in the sectors people assume are too slow to change. The key is to deeply understand the problems your users face—then build tools that meet them where they are while guiding them toward what’s possible. Also: persistence matters. Bringing innovation to operational industries takes time, trust, and patience.

What are your future goals or aspirations in the tech industry, and how do you plan to contribute to advancements in your field?

Our future is focused on scaling OpenTug’s impact across the entire marine supply chain. We’re expanding our AI capabilities, deepening integration with external data sources, and building tools that support proactive decision-making. We're also investing in features that deliver intuitive, actionable insights to help operators optimize every segment of their voyage and logistics.

Are there any emerging trends or technologies that you believe will have a profound impact on the tech industry in the coming years?

We believe AI-powered automation, especially when applied to unstructured operational data, will continue to be transformative—particularly in logistics. Additionally, the convergence of satellite tracking, predictive modeling, and centralized platforms will push industries toward real-time, proactive operations. In marine logistics, this means a shift from reactive scheduling to predictive, data-driven coordination—and we’re excited to be helping lead that evolution.

To dive deeper into OpenTug’s award-winning work, visit their website at https://opentug.com