Major shipping firms are currently testing autonomous vessels, highlighting a significant shift towards autonomous maritime technology. Despite successful trials, such as a 13-hour autonomous journey by a cargo tanker off Norway’s coast under the EU-funded AUTOSHIP program, broader adoption faces considerable challenges. Gaining trust among freight owners and securing regulatory approval remain pivotal hurdles. This initiative, involving stakeholders like Kongsberg Maritime, aims to develop new technologies for safely navigating large vessels without crew.
Markus Laurinen from Kongsberg emphasizes the gradual integration of functions into remote operating centers, reflecting a strategic approach to implementing this transformative technology. The company is working towards convincing both national and global regulators to endorse unmanned vessels, which is currently the most significant barrier to widespread adoption. The complexity increases as ships approach busier waters, raising questions about an autonomous system’s ability to navigate intricate scenarios traditionally managed by human captains.
