Stepwise to autonomy

An International Maritime Organization seminar recently heard about re-imagining a ship as a "system of systems" which work towards a common purpose. This could help in developing regulations for the challenges and opportunities brought by the autonomous ship.

ABB Ability™ Marine Braking Assistance helps ships minimize stopping time and distance, without compromising steering capability

Leading classification society DNV has awarded ABB the Cyber Secure Essential SP1 certification for its ship automation, propulsion and power systems, fully integrated with the remote access system.

ClassNK’s Corporate Officer Mr. Fujinami, and Manager Mr. Yamada share insights on recently released class guidelines for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).

With delivery of the first all-electric U.S. tugboat – Crowley’s eWolf – in 2023, the Port of San Diego will realize their vision of a zero-emission workboat, ensuring cleaner air from day one of operations, and taking an important step toward a sustainable future for port residents.

ABB will deliver an integrated electric propulsion system and advanced vessel control technology for Crowley’s pioneering eWolf tug, built for sustainable and safe operations at the Port of San Diego.

ABB, together with Singaporean shipyard Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M), has successfully carried out South Asia’s first remote joystick control of a tugboat in the busy Port of Singapore.

Leading maritime industry voices taking part in ABB Marine & Ports roundtable confirm that insight gained from experience is allowing the industry to take increasingly smarter steps along the way to autonomy, aided by rapidly evolving digital technologies.

Maritime safety regulations have, for valid reasons, traditionally been strict and have often developed in ways that could hold up innovation. Almost two decades after the remedy of ‘goal-based’ standards and ‘technical equivalence’ arrived at the IMO, rules based on risk assessment and functionality continue to face an uphill battle to redefine a safety culture based on ‘dos and don’ts’.

ABB Marine & Ports’ cyber security laboratory opens at key moment in shipping’s digital development as stricter maritime cyber security rules enter force on January 1, 2021

In only a few years, the discussion of autonomy in shipping has matured from headline-grabbing visions to pragmatic realism. Stakeholders now generally agree that autonomy will not be implemented in a grand sweep, but rather by increments. What should be the first benefits realized through the stepwise implementation of autonomous technologies?

Eero Lehtovaara talks about ABB’s digital initiatives in shipping and his priorities as the new Chairman of One Sea, a 12-member alliance of ship automation technology companies

Asked to provide his definition of autonomy, Pierre Sames, Group Technology and Research Director at DNV GL, one of the global bastions of technical knowledge, politely declines.

Previous discussions related to autonomous shipping operations have often focused on technological challenges. With the roll-out of pilot projects, the focus needs to shift towards identifying commercially viable and scalable applications for autonomous technologies.

Automated docking saves time, money, fuel and emissions. The ABB Ability™ Marine Pilot product family is key to unlocking benefits, enabling enhanced efficiency, safety and optimal operations – every time.

Today’s vessels rely heavily on satellite-based navigation systems for safe operations. These systems, however, are vulnerable to interference, jamming and spoofing. There is another solution: providing absolute positioning of the vessel based on marine radar scans.

While self-driving cars are currently a hot topic, fewer people know that the same level of automation is being developed in the maritime industry. To enhance safety on board and ensure the optimal utilization of crew members, automated assistant solutions are being implemented on cargo ships and vessels.

Lookout requirements for Bridge Zero (B0) – a conditionally and periodically unattended bridge – can be met by technology. 

For future autonomous marine vessels, better understanding of the ship’s behavior and control performance will be essential. 

Autonomous shipping is an emerging field where it will be important to operate a ship without manual intervention.

This paper focuses on the design of a robust model predictive control (MPC) law for dynamic positioning (DP) of marine vessels in the presence of actuator saturation and environmental disturbances.

This paper presents a concept of B0 – conditionally and periodically unmanned bridge – which enables more efficient utilization of vessel crew, reduction in fatigue and increases safety by enabling an unmanned bridge provided that certain conditions are met.

The vision of autonomous shipping may be closer than many may think. Some of the key technologies are already available today, and pioneering shipowners are gearing up to put them to the test in commercial applications.