Tag: autonomous ships

 Mr Esa Jokioinen, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Ship Intelligence, Rolls-Royce talks about the ‘Intelligent Awareness system’ for which Rolls- Royce has been shortlisted Awards in the ‘Technology’ category alongside a number of other distinguished nominees. As explained, one of the benefits of the Intelligent Awareness is that it brings situational awareness to Vessel Bridge allowing the captain to shuffle amongst Virtual Reality,

The European Transport Workers Association and its affiliated organisations across Europe published guidelines to improve the decision-making process ahead of new technologies and steer it to the benefit of maritime safety, the environmental performance of shipping, and to the benefit of maritime professionals.

Speaking at the ‘Maritime security in the 21st century’ symposium at the Brazilian Naval War College, Rio de Janeiro, on 20 July, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim emphasized on how IMO is working to address the digital revolution in all aspects of its work.

Technology disruption is becoming a reality and autonomous vessels are getting more and more attention. Around the world, significant milestones continue to be reached. However, legal, safety and cyber security issues are likely to limit the growth of autonomous vessels for the foreseeable future.

A Japanese research partnership, comprising Japanese shipping company MOL, MOL Techno-Trade, National Institute of Maritime, Port and Aviation Technology, and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT), aims at developing an advanced navigation support system. 

On 22 June, Dutch towage operator Kotug demonstrated what it claims to be the sailing of the first remote-controlled tugboat over a long distance, under a joint industry project. The RT 'Borkum' was controlled from the ITS Convention and Exhibition in Marseille, while the RT Borkum was sailing in Rotterdam.

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology is developing an autonomous all-electric passenger ferries for urban water transport. This project aims to develop new concepts and methods to advance the development of autonomous passenger ferries for transport of people in urban water channels.

An autonomous ship model has been successfully tested in Aker Arctic's ice model test laboratory in Helsinki. The video shows how the ship model was able to detect obstacles in the ice tank utilizing onboard sensors, maneuver around them without operator input, and moor itself automatically to a target pier. 

Finnish Government submitted a bill on ships’ crews and the safety management of ships, promoting autonomous tests in maritime transport. Under the submission, in future, exemptions to minimum vessel manning requirements and watchkeeping may be made for a fixed term in order to promote technological innovations. 

Our recent online poll revealed that the majority (71%) believe that seafarers will not be able to trust an autonomous system. Additionally, our Sea Sense column - in association with the North P&I Club – has asked global experts to provide their perspectives.