Tag: autonomous ships

Speaking about digital transformation in container shipping, BGC reports that the industry has failed to adapt to the digital age, yet. For this reason, it is important for the industry to follow some steps, which will help container industry modernize.

The unmanned RALamander fireboat aims to keep marine firefighting professionals out of harm’s way. Fires involving containers, petrochemicals, shore-side structures or vessels can be dealt with more quickly in situations where toxic smoke or explosion risk may obstruct manned vessels from responding effectively. 

Inspiring presentations and panel discussions highlighted the importance of embracing change and focusing on smart shipping developments towards a more sustainable future, during the 2018 SMART4SEA Conference. Experts shared their views on the impact of autonomous shipping on human element, cyber risk security and the latest technological developments that prove steps towards further digitalization in shgipping.

The new Research & Development Centre for Autonomous Ships includes a Remote and Autonomous Experience Space aimed at showcasing the autonomous ship technologies Rolls-Royce has already introduced, as well as those in the development stage.

Captain Benjamin Hawkins, chief of the Office of Design and Engineering Standards, speaking in the 97th Annual Transportation Safety Board, said that it is important to realize that advancements in technology are promoting the autonomy of vessels for decades. As this technology is being developed, regulators recognize the relationship between automation and manning.

A research team consisting from the University of Tasmania and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution used the autonomous underwater vehicle 'Sentry' and the remotely operated vehicle 'Jason', in order to explore erupted materials from the Havre volcano during a 2015 expedition.

Namely, Gard will provide Hull and Machinery and P&I insurance to what will become the one of the world’s first autonomous container ships with zero emissions: the YARA Birkeland. The ship will be equipped with an automatic mooring system, while berthing and unberthing will be done without human intervention.

Rolls-Royce is considering sale of its loss-making marine business, on the context of embarking on simplification of business, including the evaluation of strategic options for its Commercial Marine operation and a reduction from five operating businesses to three core units based around Civil Aerospace, Defence and Power Systems. 

DMA recommends that autonomous ships are, to the widest possible extent, regulated internationally by IMO to ensure that they can operate in as large a geographical area as possible and to avoid jurisdictional issues. In view of this, EU should await the scope and subjects included in the IMO regulation of autonomous ships before introducing regulatory initiatives.

The CUSV was developed initially, as a mine countermeasure to tow the Unmanned Influence Sweep System, which emits signals that would cause mines triggered by sound or nearby electromagnetic signatures, to detonate. The armed CUSV can be used for patrol missions