Lloyd’s Register announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ICT provider ST Engineering Electronics Ltd. (STEE) and Japanese logistics company Mitsui & Co., Ltd., to collaborate on the ‘Development of Ocean-going Autonomous Navigation System on a Marine Asset’.
The MoU, inked on the sidelines of Singapore Maritime Week- forms the foundation of the MPA-funded ‘World’s Largest Ocean-Going Autonomous Vessel Programme’, also announced at the same day.
This project constitutes a world’s first for the deployment of autonomous navigational technology to an ocean-going vessel for commercial operations, according to Andy McKeran, LR Commercial Director Marine & Offshore.
Increasing interest in maritime autonomy and remote access/control technologies is a specific example of larger technological changes we are currently seeing in the maritime industry. Essential to the successful and safe adoption of these technologies is that robust use cases are established, for example to improve navigational safety, supply chain efficiency or operational costs of marine assets. Autonomous systems will also provide opportunities for skilled seafarers to focus on what they do best, and the safe and sustainable integration of autonomous systems relies on the appropriate engagement with seafaring professionals,
..he further explained.
This comes along with MPA Singapore’s announcement of a workshop with the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) to support the operationalisation of e-navigation solutions, on 8-10 April.
