Operational and economic advantages of autonomous ships and their perceived impacts on port operations

Abstract

Autonomous shipping has been on the agenda of the shipping industry for the last decade, and is now closer to becoming a reality more than ever. Although it is technically possible to automate ships with the developments in autonomous technologies of recent years, the effective use of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) depends on meeting the specific operational needs of shipping. Furthermore, autonomous ships must provide significant economic, environmental, safety, and interoperability advantages for a transition to autonomy to be feasible. This study provides a detailed assessment of the operational improvements, possible impacts, and problems that may arise in the shipping industry with the advent of MASS. In addition to this, we assess the processes that would ensure the realization of autonomous ship-port interoperability. In this context, the study discusses the transition to MASS, taking a variety of factors into account, including the acceptability of MASS, benefits and economic impacts of the transition for the shipping industry, the adaptation of vessel types, MASS-port operational interactions (considering various aspects of port operations), and the role of port authorities. Data were collected using a detailed questionnaire distributed to relevant maritime industry stakeholders. The results of this study highlight the navigational issues facing port areas, and the challenges regarding MASS-port interactions during cargo operations. The findings of this research are expected to assist efforts of successfully implementing autonomous systems in the maritime transport chain.

Identifying Key Issues in Integration of Autonomous Ships in Container Ports: A Machine-Learning-Based Systematic Literature Review

“…Pozna ńska and Montewka [2] This study presents the state-of-the-art system of costs and benefits of operation of future autonomous merchant vessels with respect to estimation of operating, voyage, and capital costs in future autonomous shipping and vessel platooning. Kurt and Aymelek [24] This study evaluates the processes for realizing autonomous ship-port interoperability, highlights the navigational issues facing port areas, and the challenges of MASS-port interactions during cargo operations.…”

Reshaping Curriculum of Indonesian Maritime Education and Training

“…With predictions of both seafarers and non-seafarers being involved in the critical operations of autonomous vessels, it is imperative to identify key maritime stakeholders and investigate their beliefs and perceptions on the training requirements of the future shore-based operators (Emad & Ghosh, 2023). Furthermore, autonomous ships must provide significant economic, environmental, safety, and interoperability advantages for a transition to autonomy to be feasible, highlighting the importance of comprehensive education and training in these areas (Kurt & Aymelek, 2022). The maritime industry is on the brink of a paradigm shift, and regulations and training need to be implemented before the industry can progress towards autonomous vessel operations (Chan et al, 2022).…”

Ontology-Based Information Infrastructure for Autonomous Ships

“…This factor is eliminated by introducing autonomous vessels equipped with appropriate safety mechanisms (Galieriková, 2019). • Improved logistics and supply chains -autonomous vessels ensure better integration with other parts of the logistics chain, including storage, cargo handling, and port services, leading to reduced congestion in ports, as the introduction of autonomous ships can optimize traffic management, minimize congestion and waiting times for berthing and cargo unloading (Kurt and Aymelek, 2022).…”