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.…”

Analyzing appropriate autonomous vessel for South-East Asian route: from the view of seafarers

“…With a view to enhancing the vessel competitiveness and eliminating human error onboard, the concept of the autonomous vessel has been established which has enormous benefits. The reduction in the vessel’s operation costs and integrated navigational safety are the main benefits of autonomous vessel (Kurt and Aymelek 2022 ). Due to this reason, shipping companies are interested in the launching of autonomous vessel.…”

“…Autonomous ships: Test areas and research centers making headlines [Internet]. 2019 ).The project development shows that, the launching of autonomous vessel is not so far, and this will connect several maritime routes across the world (Kurt and Aymelek 2022 ). Asia plays a vital role in worlds economy, the UNCTAD report shows that, in 2020 around 40% export and 65% import of world’s total trade takes place in this region (UNCTAD 2021 ).…”