The notion might seem plucked from the realms of science fiction: vast ocean vessels navigating the seas with not a soul on board. Yet, this futuristic vision is rapidly approaching reality, much closer than one might anticipate.
A glimpse into this future is currently on display in a Norwegian fjord, where a massive, lime-green ship is being rigorously tested. At a glance, it appears as just another ship, but a closer inspection reveals an array of sophisticated technology. Equipped with cameras, microphones, radars, GPS, and an extensive suite of satellite communications, this vessel stands apart.
“We’ve incorporated numerous additional devices and specifically designed her to function as what we term ‘robotic‘,” explains Colin Field, head of remote systems at the US-UK firm Ocean Infinity (OI). This vessel is a key component of OI’s “Armada“, a planned fleet of 23 ships aimed at conducting seabed surveys for offshore wind farm developers and inspecting underwater infrastructure for the oil and gas sector.
Remarkably, despite its 78m (255ft) length, the ship is manned by just 16 individuals. In contrast, a conventional ship performing similar tasks would typically require a crew of 40 to 50. OI is confident that these numbers can be reduced even further as many operations can be managed from hundreds of miles away on land.
Walking into the company’s remote operations centre in Southampton feels like stepping onto the set of a science fiction movie. The dimly lit space houses 20 “bridge stations”, each equipped with game-like controls and touchscreens. Operators in their ergonomic chairs monitor live feeds from the ship’s cameras and various sensors.
A significant milestone for this new operational model is the remote deployment of an underwater robot, or remotely operated vehicle (ROV), from the ship to conduct seafloor scans. “The level of automation is astounding,” remarks ROV trainee pilot Marian Meza Chavira. “It’s somewhat simpler here than offshore, given the additional camera perspectives available for context.”
The maritime sector, like all forms of transport, is set to be revolutionized by autonomy, robotics, remote operation, and artificial intelligence, with experiments unfolding globally. In Norway, an 80m (262ft) electric container ship shuttles between a fertilizer plant and a local port. Belgium and Japan are experimenting with autonomous ferries that navigate, berth, and unberth autonomously. China is also testing large autonomous container ships for coastal transport.
The benefits are clear: with reduced crew requirements, ships can be designed smaller, leading to lower fuel consumption and significantly diminished carbon emissions.
Rudy Negenborn, a researcher in autonomous shipping at Delft University of Technology, notes that while significant progress has been made, challenges remain, particularly in navigating busy waterways or responding to unexpected conditions and bad weather. However, he is confident that these advancements will lead to safer, more efficient, and sustainable maritime transport.
Several smaller vessels are already operational without any crew on board
British company Sea-Kit International is at the forefront of designing such crewless boats. One of its vessels was dispatched to Tonga to map an active underwater volcano, deemed too hazardous for human exploration.
We observed a 12m-long (39ft) boat named Vaquita, designed for the Dutch survey company Fugro, as it embarked from Plymouth harbour to inspect a WWII wreck. Controlled from an office in Aberdeen, 475 miles away, the vessel smoothly navigated the waters, deploying an ROV to explore the sunken ship, all under the watchful eyes of cameras providing a 360-degree view.
“There’s more satisfaction in working this way,” says Fugro captain Dmitrij Dadycin, who appreciates the absence of the sea’s tumult and the ability to return home after a shift.
The rise of remotely operated and autonomous shipping raises numerous questions similar to those surrounding autonomous cars, trains, and drones. These include the impact on job nature, the creation of new employment opportunities, cybersecurity, system robustness, and the protocols for operational failures.
“Safety is our starting point,” states Ashley Skett, operations director at Sea-Kit, emphasizing the necessity for redundancy in systems and software to ensure seamless operational transitions in case of failures.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is actively addressing the myriad issues associated with maritime autonomy, aiming to establish voluntary best practice codes by 2028, with aspirations for eventual mandatory adoption. Current regulations mandate a captain on larger vessels.
“We’re examining the implications for the roles of masters and officers aboard ships in light of remote control operations,” explains IMO director Heike Deggim, highlighting the ongoing deliberation over equating remote-control operators with traditional ship masters.
The UK government is keen on embracing this technological shift, eyeing the burgeoning industry and the economic and operational benefits it promises.
Back in the Norwegian fjord, Ocean Infinity’s captain Simon Macaulay envisions a future where vessel oversight could be remotely managed by a master mariner, advocating for legislative evolution to accommodate these innovations. “We’re capable of sending probes to the far reaches of the Solar System; managing ships remotely is certainly within our grasp,” he asserts.
