The shift toward autonomous European inland waterway shipping: Identifying the gaps in the emerging socio-technical system

Abstract

The introduction of automated solutions for inland waterways shipping supports the European vision for a sustainable and greener shift within maritime management and logistics. Despite increasing investments, impressive technological advancements, and active discussion to solve the regulatory and business model barriers, socio-technical aspects are still less studied in the preparation for the future of autonomous shipping. This study examines stakeholder and technology roles to map the gaps and challenges created in this emerging space using a system theory approach, specifically a recently developed work design system analysis tool named Change Agent Infrastructure (CHAI) analysis [1]. This framework was chosen to better understand the likely changes of the system with the introduction of automated technology and higher degrees of automation and digitalization in the European inland waterways. The analysis identifies that there are multiple receivers of the change and regulatory bodies will also be actors with considerable responsibilities to direct these changes.