Interview with Thomas Blenk, CEO at SolarisTech

By Gosships Media

Topic: Launch of Nautilux, SolarisTech Expansion, and the Future of Maritime Compliance

Thomas H. Blenk is the President & CEO of SolarisTech LLC and a globally respected figure in maritime compliance, flag state operations, and shipbuilding oversight. A former Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs for a leading flag state and senior executive at the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Mr. Blenk has spent over three decades leading safety and regulatory programs worldwide. His work spans LNG newbuilds, VLCCs, alternative fuel vessels, and digital innovation for compliance systems. Today, he leads SolarisTech with a mission to redefine maritime standards using practical experience, digital intelligence, and global transparency.

Gosships Media: Congratulations on launching Nautilux. Why was this the right time for SolarisTech to introduce a platform like this?

Thomas Blenk: Thank you. Nautilux is the result of decades of learning what’s broken in maritime compliance. Detentions, paperwork errors, expired certificates, and crews not understanding what’s expected - it’s still happening far too often. The technology exists to fix this, and we built Nautilux to do exactly that. We knew it was time to go from reaction to prediction. We aren’t just checking boxes - we’re protecting fleets.

Gosships Media: What makes Nautilux unique compared to existing systems in the industry?

Thomas Blenk: It’s proactive. Nautilux doesn’t wait for someone to upload a file and then flag it as expired. It links inspection data, flags compliance risk, pushes crew training automatically, and visualizes exposure across the fleet. It connects audits, certificates, and training in a way that no other platform has done. And all of that is secured and verified - so the platform becomes a digital witness for your compliance history.

Gosships Media: Your team has also been expanding globally - how does this align with Nautilux?

Thomas Blenk: It’s part of the same strategy. This year we opened new offices in Houston and Busan - two powerhouses in maritime, offshore and shipbuilding. Houston supports our U.S. and Gulf clients, especially with regulatory and offshore interface. Busan is essential - it puts us at the heart of global ship construction. We now offer real-time oversight, audits, and pre-delivery compliance checks at the source. Plus, our partnership with SOLASMODU has strengthened that. Their capabilities in India complement ours in Korea and the U.S., giving clients a three-continent coverage model. It’s a full-circle compliance ecosystem - technical, regulatory, and digital support where it’s needed most.

Gosships Media: What role does Nautilux play in SolarisTech’s shipbuilding oversight?

Thomas Blenk: A major one. Newbuild supervision used to rely on emails, spreadsheets, and scattered inspection notes. With Nautilux, we now track plan approvals, FAT results, trial logs, inspection reports, even photos - securely and transparently. It builds a clean, compliant delivery record. And with our SwiftAction training modules, we’re also making sure crews are ready the moment that vessel is handed over.

Gosships Media: What kind of operators should be looking into Nautilux now?

Thomas Blenk: Any operator who wants to stop spinning their wheels on compliance. If you’ve had a detention, an overdue audit, or just need real control of your training and documentation - this is your moment. It’s for operators, for flag authorities, and even for financiers. If you care about regulatory exposure, this is your system.

Gosships Media: What’s ahead for SolarisTech and Nautilux?

Thomas Blenk: Our goal is clear: deliver full-spectrum compliance clarity. That means new tools - predictive audit alerts, ESG scoring, and MOU-based inspection forecasting. It also means more global presence. We’re scaling up, integrating deeper with yards, and helping fleets build compliance from design to delivery. Nautilux is our engine for that future.

Gosships Media: How does Nautilux support charterers and financial institutions when it comes to due diligence?

Thomas Blenk: Great question. Nautilux isn’t just for operators - it’s for charterers, financiers, and underwriters who need confidence in the vessels they select. With our built-in CCI, ARPI, and SESI scoring tools, stakeholders can view a vessel’s compliance history, training profile, audit results, and ESG performance. It’s like a compliance credit report. For charterers, it helps avoid reputational risk. For banks, it de-risks lending. And it’s all backed by real evidence - not just claims.

Gosships Media: There’s been increasing attention on the U.S. Ships Act and strengthening U.S. flag operations. How is SolarisTech supporting that in Asia?

Thomas Blenk: This is a big priority for us. The U.S. is taking bold steps to strengthen its maritime posture, and we’re actively supporting U.S.-flag operators in Korea and across Asia. Our Busan office plays a direct role - conducting audits, vetting shipyards, and handling delivery inspections for U.S.-flagged vessels. We’re also advising on regulatory compliance with U.S. statutes and MARAD requirements. Our ability to bridge U.S. flag expectations with Asian yard delivery realities is unique - and essential.

Gosships Media: What does SolarisTech’s 'lifecycle compliance' model actually look like in practice?

Thomas Blenk: Lifecycle compliance means we don’t just show up for one audit - we stay with the vessel from build through operation. We start with plan approval and newbuild oversight, then transition into pre-delivery audits, delivery support, and training. Once the vessel enters service, we provide monthly reporting, crew performance tracking, PSC risk management, and flag engagement support. Everything is managed through Nautilux, so there’s a single trail of accountability from keel to cargo. That’s the future of compliance - and we’re already there.

Gosships Media: SolarisTech has built a strong foundation in compliance and oversight, but we’ve also heard about its growing research and publishing work. What role does research play in your strategy?

Thomas Blenk: Research is a core pillar of how we lead and influence the industry. At SolarisTech, we’re not just tracking compliance - we’re forecasting its evolution. Our research team develops tools like predictive audit scoring models, CII risk forecasting algorithms, and AI-driven photo analysis for deficiency detection. It’s all grounded in real-world data from inspections, detentions, training gaps, and vessel operations.  But we also believe in sharing that knowledge. That’s why we publish highly focused, practical materials. Our Remote Inspection Manual helps operators adapt to hybrid audit environments. Our flagship publication, THE YARD: Global Shipbuilding Outlook, provides insight into where shipyards are excelling - and where risks are emerging - across Korea, China, Vietnam, Japan, and beyond. Paired with our THE YARD: Country Profiles, it’s become a trusted resource for shipowners, investors, and regulators navigating strategic construction and compliance planning.

We also release our Annual Classification Society Review, which evaluates the real-world performance of major class societies across audit closures, PSC follow-up, and responsiveness to emerging regulations. It’s not just about ratings - it’s about accountability and alignment with future-ready compliance practices. All of this research is tightly integrated into Nautilux. Our data informs training recommendations, deficiency trends, due diligence checks, and strategic planning. It’s how we ensure our clients are not only prepared - but positioned to lead.

As SolarisTech leads the charge toward predictive, digital-first compliance, Nautilux stands as a pivotal tool in the next evolution of maritime operations. With a global footprint, regulatory expertise, and a rapidly expanding technology ecosystem, Thomas Blenk and his team are setting a new bar for what responsible, forward-thinking maritime leadership looks like. Whether you're building, chartering, operating, or financing vessels - Nautilux is the system designed to keep your operations safe, compliant, and always ready. For more information, visit www.solaristechsystems.com or contact admin@solaristechsystems.com.