Machine-learning platforms based on artificial intelligence are traditionally designed to help shipowners reduce fuel costs by optimising trading routes.

However, their relevance has been called into question during the coronavirus pandemic.

The outbreak has resulted in travel restrictions and changing shipping-demand patterns across the globe, significantly altering movements of cargo-carrying vessels and passengerships.

At the same time, bunker prices have collapsed as Russia and Opec have engaged in a price war after failing to reach a consensus on how to respond to lower oil...