The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, aka DARPA, has awarded contracts to private sector companies as part of a project to demonstrate the use of long-range unmanned surface vessels for naval operations. The contracts were awarded to Applied Physical Sciences Corp., Gibbs & Cox Maritime Solutions, and InMar Technologies. Specifically, the companies will be … [Read more...]
NYK Claims First Autonomous Ship Test Under New IMO Guidelines
Japanese shipping group NYK is claiming the world’s first trial of an autonomous ship following International Maritime Organization preliminary guidelines for autonomous surface ships. NYK says the trial was conducting using its 70,826 gross tonne pure car and truck carrier Iris Leader, which is operated by the group. During the trial, which took place from September … [Read more...]
Unmanned 12-Meter Ship Aims to Be First to Cross Atlantic Without Crew
TOLLESBURY, England, May 21 (Reuters) - Final preparations are underway for a 12-meter-long ship to set sail from Canada and attempt the world's first transatlantic crossing without a crew. The USV Maxlimer, an unmanned surface vessel, is bound for the south coast of England and will conduct deep sea surveys on the way, guided by a skipper in a control station in … [Read more...]
Keppel to Develop Autonomous Tug for Operation in Port of Singapore
Singaporean shipbuilder Keppel Offshore & Marine has kicked off development of its first autonomous vessel: a harbor tug to be operated by Keppel Smit Towage at the Port of Singapore. The tug is expected to be one of Singapore's first autonomous vessels when the project is completed in 4Q 2020. The vessel is being developed by Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd (Keppel … [Read more...]
Business of Shipping: Risks and Challenges of Autonomous Shipping
The Business of Shipping is new column from Ira Breskin, senior lecturer at SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx, NY and author of The Business of Shipping (9th edition), North America’s most comprehensive industry-focused book explaining and analyzing marine transportation and related industries, both domestic and international. By Ira Breskin - Uptake of fully … [Read more...]