Costs and Benefits of Autonomous Shipping—A Literature Review

Abstract

The development of autonomous ship technology is currently in focus worldwide and the literature on this topic is growing. However, an in-depth cost and benefit estimation of such endeavours is in its infancy. With this systematic literature review, we present the state-of-the-art system regarding costs and benefits of the operation of prospective autonomous merchant ships with an objective for identifying contemporary research activities concerning an estimation of operating, voyage, and capital costs in prospective, autonomous shipping and vessel platooning. Additionally, the paper outlines research gaps and the need for more detailed business models for operating autonomous ships. Results reveal that valid financial models of autonomous shipping are lacking and there is significant uncertainty affecting the cost estimates, rendering only a reliable evaluation of specific case studies. The findings of this paper may be found relevant not only by academia, but also organisations considering to undertake a challenge of implementing Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships in their operations.

Smart Ships and implications in logistics chains a case study in Zeeuws Vlaanderen

“…They conclude that remote operation can yield a 17% cost reduction, whereas a fully unmanned scenario yields a 31% cost reduction. A 2021 systematic literature review on the economics of smart shipping [18] arrives at similar conclusions and provides a list of open questions that remain to be answered: costs of insurance, costs of cybersecurity, and costs of contingency operations.…”

“…Finally, when it comes to insurance costs, in [11] it is argued that these can increase in the short term but as smart shipping adoption takes off, premiums can be expected to drop in the medium and longer term. [3] argues as well for a reduction of insurance premiums and [18] leaves this as an open question yet to be fully answered in literature. Because the direction of these costs is not yet clarified, insurance costs have been maintained similar to what is suggested by the RWS KB model.…”

MASS Level III – Exploration of Current Issues from an Operational Point of View

“…Ziajka-Poznańska and Montewka [30] conducted a literature review on the economic aspects of MASS vessels and concluded that great effort has been put into the costs associated with construction and operation, including the development of appropriate economic models for the aspects of operating a single as well as a fleet of MASS vessels. They believe that there are still some uncertainties that may affect the associated costs.…”

Evaluation of an autonomous, short sea shipping feeder-loop service through advanced simulations

“…The cost and benefits of introducing autonomy in shipping has also been studied previously. However, in the literature review in [9] it is found that valid financial models are lacking and that there is significant uncertainty in the cost estimates. This leaves only reliable evaluations of specific case studies.…”