ABS has published a whitepaper proposing a goal-based framework for future rules to enable autonomous vessel operations, setting out 10 goals to create a framework for the design and operation of autonomous vessels and addressing key issues in implementation.
The ABS Autonomous Vessels Whitepaper is designed to support the industry’s increasing adoption of autonomous capabilities with a focus on safe implementation. The whitepaper includes an update on the outcome of the IMO’s Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Regulatory Scoping Exercise, an important step on the road toward the development of requirements governing autonomous operations.
Patrick Ryan, ABS SVP Global Engineering and Technology, said: “To allow operations of fully autonomous vessels, the maritime industry requires regulations for their design. While this is an ongoing endeavour at the IMO, ABS is well placed to propose our own framework to support both safe innovation and adoption of autonomous technologies. We are able to do this thanks to our industry-leading work with key players on cutting edge remote-control and autonomy projects all over the world. This extensive experience underpins the approach and the framework outlined in this whitepaper.”
Autonomy and remote-control initiatives ABS has worked on include a remotely operated harbour tug developed by Keppel Offshore & Marine and ABB that became the first in the world to receive the ABS Remote-Com (Nav) notation designating the vessel satisfied the ABS requirements associated with remote-control navigation. ABS has also awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to technology in an autonomous tug project from ST Engineering, POSH and M1 Limited. Earlier this year ABS and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) signed a strategic framework agreement to work together on a series of autonomous projects. ABS is also working on a project with Svitzer to jointly develop the Recotug – a commercial tug designed to be fully operated from a remote operations centre on shore.
The ABS Autonomous Vessels Whitepaper is available for download here.
