Evaluating emerging autonomous and unmanned vessel technologies for Middle Eastern and African coastal and inland waterways
Autonomous and unmanned vessel technologies are rapidly developing and have the potential to transform the maritime industry. These technologies can offer various benefits, such as improving safety, efficiency, environmental performance, and accessibility of waterborne transport. However, there are also many challenges and uncertainties associated with their implementation, especially in the context of Middle Eastern and African coastal and inland waterways. This essay aims to evaluate the current state of autonomous and unmanned vessel technologies, their opportunities and risks for the region, and the main barriers and enablers for their adoption.
Autonomous and unmanned vessel technologies can be broadly classified into two categories: maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). MASS are vessels that can operate on the water surface with various degrees of autonomy, ranging from remote control to full self-governance. AUVs are vessels that can operate underwater without any human intervention or communication link. Both types of vessels rely on sensors, connectivity, software, and algorithms to perform their tasks.
According to a report by DNV [1], MASS are expected to enter commercial operation in the near future, with several pilot projects underway or planned around the world. For example, the Yara Birkeland is an 80-meter-long electric container ship that will transport fertilizer autonomously and with zero emissions in Norway by 2024 [2]. The Zhi Fei is a 120-meter-long electric container ship that has been demonstrated shuttling under remote and autonomous control between two ports in China [2]. The Vessel Train is a European project that aims to use a crewed lead vessel to head a convoy of smaller, automated ones that can access small waterways around ports efficiently [2].
AUVs have been in use for several decades, mainly for military, scientific, and offshore applications. However, they are also becoming more relevant for commercial purposes, such as inspection, maintenance, surveying, mapping, exploration, and mining. AUVs can operate in harsh and remote environments that are inaccessible or dangerous for humans. They can also reduce operational costs and risks by eliminating the need for surface support vessels and divers [3].
The Middle East and Africa region has a vast network of coastal and inland waterways that provide vital links for trade, transport, tourism, energy, food security, and livelihoods. The region also faces many challenges, such as political instability, piracy, terrorism, environmental degradation, climate change, congestion, accidents, and lack of infrastructure and regulation. Autonomous and unmanned vessel technologies could offer solutions to some of these challenges by enhancing safety, efficiency, environmental performance, and accessibility of waterborne transport.
For instance, autonomous and unmanned vessels could reduce human errors and casualties that are often caused by fatigue, stress, or negligence. They could also improve situational awareness and collision avoidance by using advanced sensors and AI systems. Furthermore, they could optimize route planning, speed control, fuel consumption, and emissions by using real-time data and analytics. Additionally, they could enable access to remote or shallow areas that are otherwise difficult or costly to reach by conventional vessels [4].
However, autonomous and unmanned vessel technologies also pose significant risks and uncertainties for the region. These include technical, operational, legal, regulatory, ethical, social,
and economic aspects that need to be carefully addressed before these technologies can be widely adopted.
Some of the technical challenges include ensuring the reliability, security,
and interoperability of the systems and components involved in autonomous
and unmanned operations. For example, sensors may malfunction or be
affected by environmental conditions; connectivity may be disrupted or
hacked; software may contain bugs or vulnerabilities; algorithms may be
biased or inaccurate; batteries may run out or overheat; machinery may wear
out or break down [4]. These issues could compromise the safety,
performance,
and functionality of the vessels
and lead to accidents or incidents.
Some of the operational challenges include ensuring the availability,
compatibility,
and integration of the infrastructure
and services required to support autonomous
and unmanned operations. For example,
ports may need to upgrade their facilities
and equipment to accommodate
autonomous
and unmanned vessels;
communication networks may need to provide sufficient bandwidth
and coverage
to enable data transmission
and remote control;
navigation systems may need to ensure accurate positioning
and guidance;
surveillance systems may need to monitor
and track the movements
and activities of the vessels [4]. These issues could affect the efficiency,
effectiveness,
and feasibility of the operations
and lead to delays or disruptions.
Some of the legal
and regulatory challenges include ensuring the compliance,
accountability,
and liability of the actors involved in autonomous
and unmanned operations.
For example,
international conventions may need to be revised or amended to define
and recognize the concepts
and categories of autonomous
and unmanned vessels;
national laws may need to be harmonized or adapted to regulate
and authorize the use
and operation of these vessels;
insurance policies may need to be updated or developed to cover
and compensate the risks
and damages associated with these vessels [4]. These issues could create confusion,
uncertainty,
and disputes among the stakeholders
and lead to conflicts or litigation.
Some of the ethical
and social challenges include ensuring the respect,
acceptance,
and trust of the public
and the workforce towards autonomous
and unmanned operations.
For example,
ethical principles may need to be established or followed to ensure that these operations are aligned with human values
and norms;
social impacts may need to be assessed or mitigated to ensure that these operations do not adversely affect human rights,
welfare,
or dignity;
public awareness may need to be raised or maintained to ensure that these operations are understood
and supported by the society [4]. These issues could generate resistance,
opposition,
or backlash from the people
and lead to protests or sabotage.
Some of the economic challenges include ensuring the viability,
competitiveness,
and sustainability of the business models
and markets related to autonomous
and unmanned operations.
For example,
cost-benefit analyses may need to be conducted or updated to ensure that these operations are profitable
and affordable;
market analyses may need to be performed or monitored to ensure that these operations are in demand
and competitive;
environmental analyses may need to be carried out or reviewed to ensure that these operations are eco-friendly
and resilient [4]. These issues could affect the investment,
innovation,
and growth of the industry
and lead to losses or failures.
In conclusion, autonomous and unmanned vessel technologies are promising and emerging fields that have the potential to transform the maritime industry in the Middle East and Africa region. However, there are also many challenges and uncertainties that need to be overcome before these technologies can be widely adopted. Therefore, a holistic and collaborative approach is needed among the stakeholders, including governments, regulators, industry, academia, civil society, and international organizations, to address the technical, operational, legal, regulatory, ethical, social, and economic aspects of these technologies and ensure their safe, efficient, environmentally friendly, and socially acceptable implementation.
References:
[1] DNV. (2021). Autonomous and remotely-operated ships. Retrieved from https://www.dnv.com/maritime/autonomous-remotely-operated-ships/index.html
[2] Negenborn, R. R., Goerlandt, F., Johansen, T. A., Slaets, P., Valdez Banda, O. A., Vanelslander, T., & Ventikos, N. P. (2023). Autonomous ships are on the horizon: here’s what we need to know. Nature, 591(7849), 181-183. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00557-5
[3] Unmanned Systems Technology. (2023). Autonomous Vessels. Retrieved from https://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com/expo/autonomous-vessels/
[4] Ventikos, N. P., Goerlandt, F., Negenborn, R. R., Johansen, T. A., Slaets, P., Valdez Banda, O. A., & Vanelslander, T. (2022). Challenges for autonomous shipping in coastal and inland waterways: a review and future research directions. Maritime Policy & Management. DOI: 10.1080/03088839.2022.1975078
