Yara Birkeland delivered but not ready to sail autonomously
The Norwegian shipyard Vard Brattvåg has handed over the Yara Birkeland to fertiliser company Yara. The vessel was to be the first fully autonomous logistics concept in the world. Yet, the emission-free container ship is...Read more
Autonomous Roboat ready for trials on the Amsterdam canals
Soon, an autonomous boat will sail the canals of Amsterdam, transporting goods or people, collecting waste or serving as a floating platform and bridge. The first large “Roboat” will be tested around the Navy grounds...Read more
MOL to test algorithms aimed at autonomous ship collision avoidance
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) is researching collision avoidance algorithms. The goal is to develop a navigation support system that will lead to autonomous collision avoidance, using rule-based artificial intelligence and a deep reinforcement learning algorithm.Read more
Container ship Ever Forward takes next step to shore-based control
Evergreen Marine Corp. Ltd. has been awarded Digital Safe Security certification from Lloyd’s Register for its latest 12,000 TEU ultra large container ship, Ever Forward. Operators and shore-based staff have instant access to operating data...Read more
Minister launches Dutch Smart Shipping forum SMASH!
Dutch Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen of Infrastructure and Water Management has given the go-ahead in Rotterdam for the Dutch Smart Shipping Forum or SMASH!. In this forum, companies, knowledge institutes and government bodies will work...Read more
Tug autonomously sails optimal route through port of Rotterdam
Kotug International, Rotortug, and Captain AI have demonstrated the first boat in the world that sails the most optimal route without human intervention. Tug RT Borkum autonomously sailed on the river Nieuwe Maas in Rotterdam...Read more
Norwegian grocery distributor plans to use autonomous RoRo vessels
Kongsberg Maritime and Massterly have signed contracts with Norwegian grocery distributor ASKO to equip two new vessels with autonomous technology, and to manage their operations at sea. The fully electric ships are to replace 2...Read more
ProZero joins EU funded automated shortsea vessel project
Danish workboat manufacturer ProZero International has joined the MOSES shortsea shipping project. One of the innovations the company will be working on is an autonomous system for manoeuvring and docking ships.Read more
‘Human will remain in the loop as autonomous shipping advances’
Where autonomous shipping is concerned, technology is not the issue, according to Capt. Eero Lehtovaara, Head of Regulatory Affairs at ABB Marine & Ports. ‘Most of the technology needed is already there, but we need...Read more
Automated barge transports polluted soil in port of Antwerp
Zonga, an automated 135-metre barge, has started transporting polluted soil from a former BP site in the port of Antwerp. The project is being carried out by Seafar, specialised in remote ship management, and DEME...Read more
Offshore structures may be protected by Autonomous Guard Vessels
A consortium of maritime companies has revealed the concept design of an Autonomous Guard Vessel. The futuristic looking design is to support the offshore industry by exploiting technology available today. It is designed to be...Read more
IHC looks ahead to autonomous vessel prototype after DP tests
Royal IHC and research institute MARIN have completed dynamic positioning (DP) assessment tests for the autonomous T60-18 service operation vessel (SOV). The data gained will provide input for an SOV simulator and should eventually lead...Read more
All you need to know about marine electrical systems
Real zero emission shipping cannot be reached without the use of smart electrical systems, whatever the source of energy – wind, sun or hydrogen – may be. And this won’t be easy as becomes clear...Read more
Covid-19 puts development of first autonomous container ship on hold
The project that was to lead to the world’s first autonomous and zero-emission container vessel, the Yara Birkeland, has been paused due to the corona crisis. The vessel was launched in Romania in February 2020...Read more
One Sea: Autonomous shipping can become reality by 2025
Delivering an autonomous maritime transport system by 2025 will rely on ‘collaboration without borders’, but is definitely possible, according to One Sea. In 2017, the organisation presented a roadmap towards autonomous shipping and sees developments...Read more
Abu Dhabi Ports wants to develop world’s first autonomous tug
Together with the naval architects at Robert Allan Ltd., Abu Dhabi Ports plans to develop the world’s first unmanned autonomous commercial tugboats. The new technology is to help increase efficiency and enhance operational safety. The design...Read more
Type approval for laser-based dynamic positioning system
DNV GL has granted type approval for Wärtsilä’s SceneScan position reference system. It is the world’s first laser-based targetless relative dynamic positioning (DP) reference system that can work without the need for pre-placed positioning targets. Without...Read more
Real-life Testing of Intelligent Harbour Tug in Singapore
Following the installation of a first-of-its-kind Dynamic Positioning (DP) system onboard the harbour tug PSA Polaris, trials are now being carried out in the Port of Singapore under real-world conditions. The tests are part of...Read more