Autonomous vessels : revolution or evolution (technical operations)

• Main Author: Muhammad Nurhakim Mohtar
• Other Authors: -
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2020
• Subjects: Engineering::Maritime studies
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/139018
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

With technological advancements in the recent years, there are emerging ideas and innovations in the development of an autonomous vessel. Though it is a futuristic thought, there are autonomous vessels on trial recently, such as the development of Yara Birkeland. Due to the pandemic COVID-19 that the world is facing currently, further developments of the autonomous vessel has been put on a pause (Yara, 2020). However, there remains other developments done for the system of autonomous vessels, such as the ones done by Rolls Royce. Due to the minimal research and with most of the data comes from circulated news articles, there is a lack of analysis and consolidation on this new technological development. Hence, this paper aims to explore, consolidate and analyse the technical operations of autonomous vessels, finding out how safe are they and should humans still be required on board by then. This paper also aims to find out whether autonomous vessels are an evolution or revolution in terms of technical operations. The key area of this paper focuses on the safety considerations of autonomous vessels by comparing it with the current conventional vessels’ accident rates and other autonomous automotive industry that is operating autonomous vehicles such as Tesla. Additionally, this paper aims to answer as to whether humans are still required on board should vessels operate fully autonomous. Finally, this paper aims to link the various findings in order to determine if the technical operations done for an autonomous vessel revolutionize or evolve the maritime industry. Lastly, this paper attempts to provide the maritime professionals with an in-depth understanding of the technical aspects on the autonomous vessels, and whether it is revolutionary or is an evolution to the maritime industry. Subsequently, the recommendations attempt to assist in their strategic decision and considerations, and other future possibilities on the safety of an autonomous vessel.