Autonóm hajók: A virtuális tengerész felemelkedése.

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• Március 15, 2022

Insight összefoglaló

The future of shipping is steering towards self-driving, AI-powered vessels, with efforts underway to create legal frameworks and technologies that enable safe and efficient operation. These autonomous ships promise to transform global supply chain operations, reduce costs, improve safety, and even make maritime careers more appealing to the younger generation. From enhancing maritime surveillance to reducing environmental impact, the development and implementation of autonomous ships present a complex yet promising shift in the way goods are transported globally.

Autonomous ships context

Efforts are being made to build self-driving, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered ships, while a legal framework is emerging to allow them to operate safely and legally on international waters. Autonomous container ships are crewless vessels that transport containers or bulk cargo through navigable waters with little or no human interaction. Various techniques and levels of autonomy can be accomplished alongside the use of monitoring and remote control from a nearby manned ship, an onshore control center, or artificial intelligence and machine learning. The ultimate goal is to enable the vessel itself to select the correct course of action, reducing the risk of human error and potentially improving efficiency in maritime transport.

Generally, autonomous ships of all kinds utilize technology similar to those used in self-driving vehicles and autopilots. Sensors collect data using infrared and visible spectrum cameras, which are complemented by radar, sonar, lidar, GPS, and AIS, providing essential information for navigational purposes. Other data, such as meteorological information, deep-sea navigation, and traffic systems from onshore areas, may assist the vessel in charting a safe route. The data is subsequently analyzed by AI systems, either onboard the ship or at a remote location, to recommend the best path and decision pattern, ensuring that the ship operates safely and efficiently.

Governments and international bodies are working to create regulations that ensure these ships meet safety and environmental standards. Insurance companies, shipping firms, and technology developers are collaborating to understand the risks and benefits of this trend in maritime transport. Together, these efforts are shaping a future where autonomous ships may become a common sight on our oceans, transforming the way goods are transported globally.

Bomlasztó hatás 

Large autonomous ships have the potential to change shipping by boosting efficiency, lowering costs, and minimizing human error, all while reducing costs throughout the maritime supply chain. These ships also have the potential to alleviate labor shortages, improve safety, and decrease environmental damage. Despite challenges such as dependability, ambiguous laws, liability issues, and possible cyberattacks, autonomous ships may become commonplace by the 2040s. However, the goal for the near-midterm is to develop AI systems that will support decision-making on human-crewed vessels.

The transition from having a crew on board to having land-based technicians manage ships remotely is likely to transform global supply chain operations. This transformation could lead to the emergence of new services, online marketplaces for cargo delivery by sea, more efficient schemes for pooling and leasing vessels, and the development of other useful technologies. The shift to remote management may also enable real-time monitoring and adjustments, enhancing the responsiveness of shipping to market demands and unexpected events such as weather changes or geopolitical tensions.

Remote and autonomous operations may facilitate the transfer of professions requiring advanced education and skills to ports of call or land-based operations centers, making maritime careers more appealing to young individuals entering the sector. This trend could lead to a reimagining of maritime education, with a focus on technology and remote operations. It might also open up opportunities for collaboration between shipping companies and educational institutions, fostering a new generation of maritime professionals. 

Implications of autonomous ships

Wider implications of autonomous ships may include:

• Easy-to-access cargo platforms, enabling comparison of transport services and prices.
• Assisting with Search and Rescue operations (responding to SOS signals automatically by nearest neighbor routing).
• Charting oceanic conditions such as weather reports and tidal measurements.
• Enhanced maritime surveillance and border security.
• Improved safety, reduce operating costs, and increase efficiency while minimizing the effects of shipping on the environment.
• Reduced nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide emissions by reducing road transport.

Megfontolandó kérdések

• Considering that AI-systems can be targeted by cyberattacks, do you think that autonomous ships represent a threat to maritime safety?
• How do you think the rise of autonomous ships will affect seafarer jobs?