Simulation for Designing the Transition to Autonomous Shipping – Japanese Coastal Shipping

Abstract

In Japanese coastal shipping, there is a need to introduce automation technology to alleviate the shortage of seafarers, but its introduction has an indirect impact on coastal shipping due to the interaction between transportation demand and freight rates in a market with a variety of stakeholders. Therefore, it is difficult to make decisions about its introduction. This study uses a simulator that mimics the Japanese cargo market to evaluate the impact of the deployment. The results show that the introduction of autonomous vessels, even in the middle of development, may bring benefits, and that remote maneuvering technology with a crew on board may not produce positive impacts.