WATCH: Experts on latest unmanned vessel technology

The growth in autonomous vessel technology was discussed in the fourth session of our Commercial Marine Network webinar series ‘Get Set for Workboat 2050’, held last week.

Giving the welcome address, Workboat Association CEO Kerrie Forster said the speakers proved autonomy and artificial intelligence do have a place in maritime – and with the potential gains in revenue that these technologies will allow, it is no wonder the sector is seeing significant growth both in the number of firms taking on the technology and the leaps and bounds being made within it.

Liam Campbell, commercial director of Sea-Kit, said the hydrographic survey equipment market was expected to be worth $2.7 billion in 2022, with an annual growth rate of 5.4%. The underwater robotic market in 2017 was worth $2.5 billion, he said, and had a predicted growth rate of 13.5%.

Money to be made isn’t just in the number of projects being contracted, it’s the lower cost involved in undertaking them with no crew, he said.

“Using USV technology of course reduces the need for vessels to be manned to the same extent,” he said. “A traditional vessel design has to consider the safety and everyday needs of the crew, which is a large part of the vessel’s design.

“By being uncrewed, vessels can be designed around operational requirements, endurance and communication requirements, which makes operations safer and allows significantly reduced costs.

“The cost of a USV carrying out the same operations as a typical hydrographic survey vessel, with a crew of 66 people, is about 2% of with operating costs as little as 10%.”

When it came to building uncrewed vessels, the lack of safety requirements in the design meant could be as little as 2% of a traditional boat, he said. It also took about a third of the time to build one.

Fuel savings were estimated at £6,800 (€8,100)/day, which over a year meant £1.3 million (€1.5 million) per year at a minimum, he said.

Business development and commercial manager EMEA at Sea Machines Robotics Frank Relou showed videos of the firm’s vessels sailing with onshore control, successfully avoiding other vessels thanks to its artificial intelligence cameras on board.

Reiterating the benefits laid out by Campbell, he said the combination of all these benefits would mean billions for the industry, not least in fuel and emissions savings.

“The combination of increased productivity, safety, efficiency and utilisation will drive billions to the bottom line of the world’s fleet operators,” he said.

Zelim head of Commercialisation Andy Tipping introduced the company’s unmanned rescue vessels, which can be launched from shore or a mothership and are available in two classes – Survivor and Guardian.

He added that when satellite communication technology had improved it would be a vital improvement to rescue mission capabilities.

“Our mission in our work is to deliver the latest in uncrewed vessel technology, which has a huge part to play in our mission to decarbonise the sector as well as improve operational safety,” said Andy Page, Chartwell Marine managing director, who moderated the session.

The webinar is still available to watch here.