7 Major Developments in Autonomous Shipping in 2018
Digitalization continued to reshape the maritime industry in the year 2018 with a number of developments made in the autonomous and remotely operated ships.
Even though there is some time for the first commercial autonomous vessels to be launched, all the latest technology developments in the field are making the right and much-needed foundation for the futuristic ships.
1. IMO takes steps to address autonomous ships
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) – the global regulatory body for international shipping – commenced work to look into how safe, secure and environmentally sound Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) operations may be addressed in IMO instruments.
The Organization’s senior technical body, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), endorsed a framework for a regulatory scoping exercise, as work in progress, including preliminary definitions of MASS and degrees of autonomy, as well as a methodology for conducting the exercise and a plan of work.
Read more about IMO’s framework to address autonomous ships here.
2. World’s First Fully Autonomous Ferry Demonstrated
Rolls-Royce and Finnish state-owned ferry operator Finferries successfully demonstrated the world’s first fully autonomous ferry in the archipelago south of the city of Turku, Finland.
The car ferry Falco used a combination of Rolls-Royce Ship Intelligence technologies to successfully navigate autonomously during its voyage between Parainen and Nauvo. The return journey was conducted under remote control.
The vessel detected objects utilising sensor fusion and artificial intelligence and conducted collision avoidance. It also demonstrated automatic berthing with a recently developed autonomous navigation system. All this was achieved without any human intervention from the crew.
Read more about the demonstration of autonomous ferry here.
3. World’s First Autonomous Shipping Company
Wilhelmsen and KONGSBERG joined forces to take the next step in autonomous shipping by offering a complete value chain for autonomous ships, from design and development, to control systems, logistics services and vessel operations.
Through the creation of the new company named Massterly, the companies took the next step on this journey by establishing infrastructure and services to design and operate vessels, as well as advanced logistics solutions associated with maritime autonomous operations.
Read more about Massterly here.
4. Successfully Trials Of First Autonomous Unmanned Survey Vessel
UK-based survey specialist Bibby HydroMap announced the successful completion of testing of ‘DriX’, the 8-metre Autonomous Unmanned Survey Vessel (AUSV) developed by iXblue.
Designed to provide a true extension of survey capability from shallow and inshore waters to a full offshore environment, DriX is a new breed of AUSV that is the first autonomous survey platform to truly rival the performance of a traditional survey vessel.
Read more about the survey vessel here.
5. Rolls-Royce Opens Autonomous Ship R&D Centre
Rolls-Royce opened a state-of-the-art research facility in Turku, Finland, to develop the technologies Rolls-Royce and its partners require to shape the future of an increasingly more autonomous global shipping industry.
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.
Read more about the R&D Centre here.
6. Aker Arctic Demonstrates Autonomous Vessel In Model Tests
An autonomous ship model was successfully tested in Aker Arctic’s ice model test laboratory in Helsinki, Finland this year.
In the demonstration test 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. The test was carried out in ice free waters.
Read more about the tests here.
7. DNV GL Releases Autonomous And Remotely Operated Ship Guidelines
To help build a safety culture around these new technologies for autonomous shipping, DNV GL has released a new class guideline covering autonomous and remotely operated ships.
The guideline covers new operational concepts that do not fit within existing regulations, and technologies that control functions that would normally be performed by humans. In terms of new operational concepts, the guideline helps those who would like to implement new concepts with a process towards obtaining approval under the alternative design requirements by the flag state.
Read more about the guidelines here.
Additional Mention
Wilhelmsen Ship Management Shapes Regulatory Framework In Autonomous Shipping
Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM) entered into two agreements that will set the tone for operational and regulatory framework in autonomous shipping. The first agreement focuses on the development of a safety management system (“safety management system agreement”) while the second agreement is for the development of future competence (“competence agreement”).
The safety management system agreement was entered into with DNV GL and NMA whereby the parties will collaborate to support WSM’s ambition to develop an efficient safety management system (SMS) for operating autonomous, remotely controlled and remotely supported vessels.
Read more about the framework here.
Gard To Provide Insurance For World’s First Autonomous Container Ships
Gard is looking forward to providing 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 Norwegian company, Yara International ASA, is a leading fertiliser manufacturer with operations worldwide. It commissioned the YARA BIRKELAND, now being designed and built in partnership with Kongsberg Maritime, to transfer its products from the manufacturing site to port. In addition to operating without crew, the ship is battery powered and is designed without ballast tanks. The ship will also be equipped with an automatic mooring system – berthing and unberthing will be done without human intervention, and will not require special implementations dock-side.
Read more about the first autonomous container ships here.
Related Reading:
YARA Chooses VARD For Building World’s First Autonomous & Electric Container Vessel
Kalmar And Yara To Develop World’s First Fully-Digitalized Zero Emission Cargo Solution
Fugro Signs Agreement To Develop Next-Generation Autonomous Vessels For Commercial Survey
Fugro has signed a joint development agreement with L3 ASV, a leader in the field of unmanned and autonomous vessel technology, to create the next generation of autonomous vessels for the commercial survey market. The partnership brings together the expertise of both companies for the joint development of a variety of fit-for-purpose unmanned surface vessels (USVs). Delivery of the first USV, designed for medium- to large-scale hydrographic survey applications, is scheduled for Q2 2019.
Read more about the agreement here.
Samskip Takes Lead In Initiative To Develop Autonomous, Zero-Emissions Container Ships
Europe’s largest multimodal operator has been named lead partner in ‘Seashuttle’, a project seeking to bring emissions-free, autonomous container ships to market that also operate at a profit.
The announcement coincides with the award of €6 million of Norwegian government money to Project SeaShuttle to take forward development of two all-electric ships slated to connect Poland, Swedish west coast ports and the Oslo fjord. The vessels will draw on state-of-the-art hydrogen fuel cells for their propulsion power.
Read more about the “Seashuttle” here.
Over to you..
Do you know any other latest developments in autonomous shipping that can be added to this list?
Let’s know in the comments below.
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Marine Insight News Network is a premier source for up-to-date, comprehensive, and insightful coverage of the maritime industry. Dedicated to offering the latest news, trends, and analyses in shipping, marine technology, regulations, and global maritime affairs, Marine Insight News Network prides itself on delivering accurate, engaging, and relevant information.
About Author
Marine Insight News Network is a premier source for up-to-date, comprehensive, and insightful coverage of the maritime industry. Dedicated to offering the latest news, trends, and analyses in shipping, marine technology, regulations, and global maritime affairs, Marine Insight News Network prides itself on delivering accurate, engaging, and relevant information.
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