Automation and autonomy play a significant role in the shipping industry, paving the way for a more digitalized future and enabling the industry deal with its current smart challenges. Yet, there is confusion between those two terms; so what do we mean when we talk about automation and autonomy within the maritine industry?
The UK Royal Navy conducted a four-day exercise as they put a full range of remotely-operated devices under autonomous control for a trial off the coast of Norway. The Royal Navy installed an artificial intelligence system, to control the technologies, in amphibious ship Albion, while industry partners joined onboard to implement and oversee the system trials.
IBM and Promare, marine research organization, announced that the new “AI Captain”, which will be used by the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) to self-navigate across the Atlantic, is going to be trialled in sea this month.
Abu Dhabi Ports along with the vessel engineer Robert Allan Ltd., shake their hands in order to develop the world’s first fully unmanned autonomous commercial marine tugboats. Specifically, the tugs are expected to join SAFEEN, Abu Dhabi Ports’ service arm, once completed.
In line with an increased focus on automation across shipping, The Nautical Institute has conducted a survey seeking to understand seafarers’ current thoughts on the introduction of automation. The responses revealed mariners were fairly pragmatic about the inevitable increase of technology onboard.
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and UAE-based autonomous technology provider Marakeb Technologies signed a Memorandum of Understanding in order to explore global collaboration opportunities in the field of autonomous technology.
The US Navy awarded contracts totaling $1 billion to over 40 organizations to support the Unmanned Surface Vehicle Family of Systems. The multiple award contracts (IDIQ-MACs) have a five-year base period and one five-year ordering period option.
During the 2020 SMART4SEA Athens Forum, John Southam, Loss Prevention Executive, The North of England P&I Association Limited, focused on the P&I perspective of autonomous ships and new technologies in general. As he explains, with the emergence of automation, new risks have been born as well, such as new definitions or new roles. Shipping should address these changes and adopt to the new situation.
MF Bastø VI recently conducted its first fully automatic journey between Horten and Moss while having passengers onboard, with a system installed which ensures that the ferry has optimized fuel consumption, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased regularity and safety during its arrivals and departures.
Ocean Infinity is launching a marine technology and data company which will add a fleet of robot vessels the company and by combining technology and sustainability will not need the presence of men onboard.
