Finnish agency brings maritime groups together to research autonomous ships

Rolls-Royce will lead the $7.3 million Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Applications Initiative, which could pave the way for autonomous ocean cargo vessels, according to IHS Maritime.    English automobile and engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce will head the new Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Applications Initiative, a research project that could potentially pave the way for autonomous ocean vessels, according to a report from IHS Maritime.
   The project is designed to bring together universities, ship designers, equipment manufacturers, and classification societies to research the technology and regulatory issues surrounding remote-controlled and self-driving ships. In addition to Rolls-Royce, expected project participants include the Finnish institutions like Tampere University of Technology, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Åbo Akademi University, Aalto University, and the University of Turku, as well as members of the maritime industry such as NAPA, Deltamarin, DNV GL and Inmarsat.
   The project will examine the implications of remote control and autonomy of ships for propulsion, deck machinery, and automation and control, and whether current technology exists to bring such a product to market quickly and cost-effectively. 
   Funded by the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, Tekes, the project is expected to cost 6.6 million euros (U.S. $7.3 million) and will run through the end of 2017.
   “Rolls-Royce has extensive experience of successfully coordinating multi-disciplinary teams developing complex technologies,” Esa Jokioinen, head of Rolls-Royce’s Blue Ocean Team, said of the project. “We bring a world-leading range of capabilities in the marine market to the project including vessel design, the integration of complex systems, and the supply and support of power and propulsion equipment. We are excited to be taking the first concrete steps towards making remote controlled and autonomous ship applications a reality.”