HANSA 05-2019

Schiffstechnik | Ship Technology
back in 2015, before coordinating a
number of flag states in a joint paper
on vessel autonomy for the June
2017 Maritime Safety Committee
(MSC).
»Getting the international regulations
in place is crucial for the
business case, so we are very much
following the process at IMO and
also participating through the flag
states. We are delighted to see that
IMO has taken steps to tackle this
matter as fast as possible and we expect
to hear output from the current
scoping exercise at MSC 101.
From One Sea’s perspective, we feel
that there is a need to keep IMO
fully informed on technologies and
advances in a fast-changing sector.«
Crafting maritime rules while
technology is still developing fast
has proved a challenge for shipping
in the recent past, which is why Haikkola
emphasises time and again the
need to keep channels open between
regulators and technologists.
»I have been impressed by the efforts
of the flag states and class societies
in developing their thinking on
autonomous shipping, but it’s also
true that the impetus for change is
coming from actual pilot projects
involving suppliers and ship owners,«
she says. »Autonomous shipping
demands new skill sets from
everyone, including regulators and
those working in approval.«
»I have been impressed by
the efforts of the flag states
and class societies in
developing their thinking on
autonomous shipping, but
it’s also true that the impetus
for change is coming from
actual pilot projects
involving suppliers and ship
owners.«
Drawing on its unparalleled experience
to date, One Sea seeks to facilitate
an industry alliance to drive
autonomous shipping through international
cooperation, rather than
create a talking shop hampered by
competing agendas and commercial
sensitivities. »The ecosystem is open
to all industry partners, and organizations
from across the marine domain
will play vital roles and bring
different competencies,« says Haikkola.
A recent World Maritime University
study suggested that, by 2040,
autonomous ships will account for
11–17% of global shipping but that
traffic growth over the period would
actually create more jobs for seafarers.
However, WMU said roles at sea
would change, with crews taking a
more supporting role while some
tasks done today at sea would transfer
ashore.
One Sea has recently initiated a
new research program covering remote
vessel piloting at sea. Finnish
legislators are set to bring into force
a framework during 2019 that will
allow remote vessel navigation and
control to take place within designated
sea areas subject to public license.
Improved conditions
»We believe that autonomous shipping
will improve the working conditions
of seafarers,« says Haikkola.
»Some of the work done will be
moved from ship to shore and there
will probably also be more possibilities
to specialise in specific areas on
the ship; and, as in all other areas
today, there will be a need for improved
IT skills.«
At this stage, it is hard to say what
the future will look like, Haikkola
says, at a time when different technologies
are being applied. However,
she adds: »There are definitely
some sectors that are more likely to
be early adapters, but it all depends
on the business cases. Short sea shipping,
supply vessels and road ferry
type applications are most likely, but
we have also seen an interest in ship
types such as tugs. Passenger vessels
in general (apart from the road ferries)
are likely to be only interested in
parts of these technologies – such as
situational awareness aids.«
Things are already moving sufficiently
quickly to anticipate orders
for autonomous or remote controlled
vessels from One Sea partner
companies as the »next step«, Haikkola
says. »These could be either
retrofits to existing vessels or newbuildings.«
ED
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