Bristol-based tech innovator Geollect is helping the world’s largest cruise line get back to sea after the industry was plunged into turmoil by the covid-19 pandemic.
Geollect is utilising the same tools built for the Royal Navy to support Carnival Corporation’s ships in monitoring risk and understanding global restrictions and travel corridors. 
The uncertainty in the industry has created an overwhelming influx of big data and Geollect, which employs a number of former Royal Navy intelligence experts, is working to unlock big datasets to provide simple and clear port and regional assessments and analytical support.
On top of a customised vessel tracking and maritime information dashboard, Geollect is providing extra intelligence resources to help achieve a smooth return to operations for their cruise line partners.
Near real-time vessel tracking and visualisation of itineraries are fused with a global intelligence picture and displayed on a clear and intuitive interactive map.
The company was founded in 2017 by Cate Gwilliam, a former geospatial intelligence officer with the US National Geospatial Agency, and Richard Gwilliam, a former Royal Navy intelligence officer.
It specialises in automated location intelligence by providing a blend of cutting-edge data feeds and proven advanced geospatial analysis.
Using the latest satellite and ‘new space’ technology, the business creates dynamic algorithms within user-friendly software to deliver a new form of timely and actionable intelligence.
CEO Cate Gwilliam said: “The fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic combined with climate change, a growing refugee crisis, and overwhelming influx of ‘big data’, has created a perfect storm of uncertainty.
“Cruise lines must react quickly to operate safely and provide assurance to customers. At Geollect we are putting vast amounts of disparate data in one place and presenting it in a clear, easy to use, format, helping the industry get back to sea.”
A robust global health monitoring dashboard provides a powerful visualisation of all public data on Covid-19 and its impact. Filtered data from news, social media, databases, NGOs and other dedicated providers is scraped and processed then geographically located on a live map.
It goes beyond simply showing cases by region – displaying trends, predictions, economic impact, in-country restrictions and much more – offering clear insight and advice to decision-makers. The platform is built as an enduring capability to monitor and track emerging risks.
Geollect specialises in using machine learning and geospatial intelligence techniques to collect, analyse and visualise vast amounts of data. It employs eight full-time staff at its head office near Cribbs Causeway and works with customers in defence, cruise lines and insurance to develop software that simplifies complex information and puts it in an easy to understand format that aids decision-making.
