Review of Autonomous and Remotely Controlled Ships in Maritime Sector

Abstract

This paper presents the extent of the currently achieved progress in autonomous and remotely controlled ships in the maritime sector. Major researches, statements from relevant sources and various anticipations on this subject are presented to outline a comprehensive scope of such progress.
 The engine room on conventional merchant ships is used as a viewpoint because it comprises numerous and complex systems. The main purpose of this paper is to establish a link between the levels of autonomy and the engine room with its associated systems on a conventional ship. At each level, the link should describe the relations between autonomy and the systems which are commonly found in the engine room on conventional ships.
 To create this link, comparison analysis uses the latest statements from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Classification Societies. Technical standards for autonomous and offshore vessels are derived from the guidelines provided by Classification Societies. Technical standards and requirements, related to the engine room of such ships, are individually described and compared to provide accurate and comprehensive scope of their current progress.

The Ocean-Going Autonomous Ship—Challenges and Threats

“…Similar approach has been accepted in the Class Guideline for Autonomous and Remotely Operated Ships by DNV GL (Table 4) [12]. [20] also analyze in detail the various interpretations of the concepts of 'autonomous' and 'remotely controlled' vessels, paying attention to the issues of the autonomy of a ship's mechanisms and its reliability. In fact, unmanned surface vessels tested nowadays in real marine environment conditions are rather not higher than level 2 of the classification from [15].…”

The application of a system‐based risk management framework and social network analysis to the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship system: Who are the decision‐makers in the wider system?

“…Parnell et al (2017) added two additional levels, international and national committees, to show how these committees influence government policies and legislation for in‐vehicle technology use. For the application of the RMF to MASS in the UK, it will also be necessary to include these additional levels as international organizations such as the IMO, International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), and national committees such as Maritime UK influence how MASS are currently regulated and how they will be in future (Bratić et al, 2019; Department of Transport, 2021; International Maritime Organisation, 2021; Maritime UK, 2020).…”

ASV-Network structure and roadmap

“…Table 1. USV development from 1985 to date (Liu et al, 2016) An ASV is, by definition, an unmanned vessel that operates on the sea surface without real-time input or control from human operators (Bratić et al, 2019). This platform can be equipped with many of the same sensors as an AUV.…”