Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Trials AI Technology to Reduce Food Waste

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has partnered with KITRO to trial AI-powered food waste monitoring devices on board its flagship Bolette, supporting efforts to reduce onboard waste and improve operational efficiency.

The six-month pilot project with the Swiss technology company marks a significant step in transforming how food waste is managed on board. It forms part of the cruise line’s broader commitment to enhancing efficiency while lowering its environmental impact.

The pilot programme will see the installation of five KITRO devices in key galley locations, where they will automatically track and analyse food waste. Using advanced image recognition technology, the system captures and identifies discarded food in real time, recording key data such as weight, category and timing, to provide comprehensive insights into where and why food waste occurs.

These insights are made available through an intuitive analytics dashboard, enabling onboard teams and KITRO specialists to monitor trends, identify cost-saving opportunities and implement targeted improvements.

Dominic Simpson, Sustainability Manager at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“We’re excited to roll out this trial period. By using KITRO’s innovative AI technology, alongside their expert support, we’ll gain a clearer understanding of food waste on board, helping us make meaningful changes where they matter most. It’s an important step in our wider commitment to improving efficiency and investing in fleet‑wide upgrades that support our long‑term sustainability goals.”

Jonathan Comotti, Head of Sales at KITRO, added:

"We are thrilled to be launching this pilot with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Food waste is one of the most impactful and actionable sustainability challenges in the hospitality industry, and cruise ships are a fascinating environment to tackle it.

“With the dedication of Dominic and the sustainability and onboard teams, we are confident that together we can make a real difference, saving precious resources and setting a strong example for the wider industry."

Founded in 2017, KITRO was established with the ambition to transform how commercial kitchens manage food waste. Today, the company operates in over 20 countries, helping hundreds of kitchens make food waste visible and preventable. With food waste responsible for around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the aviation industry, KITRO’s technology plays an important role in reducing emissions and supporting decarbonisation in commercial operations.

The cruise line will use the findings from the pilot to assess opportunities for a wider rollout of the technology across its fleet, further strengthening its commitment to sustainable operations and supporting a more responsible cruise industry.

To learn more about Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and KITRO visit www.fredolsencruises.com and https://www.kitro.ch/