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The maritime industry has been essential for global trade and commerce for centuries. With advancements in technology, the industry is now evolving towards autonomous shipping or Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).
Autonomous ships refer to the ships that are remote built ships where operations are performed by remote control mechanism. These operations are operated by the humans located at the shore. Autonomous requires high quality systems and reliable communication system which work with the assistance of connectivity, control algorism and sensor technology. RADAR technology is used by the control system used for autonomous ships.
Interest in autonomous and remotely-controlled ships is growing fast. Worldwide, there are now more than 1,000 maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) operated by more than 53 organizations. These vessels work alongside manned vessels with minimal autonomous-specific regulation.
Growing seaborne trade across the globe coupled with increasing maritime tourism is anticipated to drive growth. Moreover, the lack of sailors is anticipated to drive the adoption of automated systems. Remote and autonomous shipping is increasingly being explored by the maritime industry. It is expected to provide both direct cost-reducing benefits and other indirect benefits.
MASS technology involves the use of advanced sensors, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to operate a vessel without any crew onboard. It is a significant step towards making shipping more efficient, safe, and sustainable. In this blog, we will discuss why autonomous shipping technology is the future of the maritime industry.
For in-depth understanding on Autonomous Shipping technology and applications please visit: Unmanned and Unstoppable: The Rise of Autonomous Shipping Technology
Autonomous ships offer several direct and indirect benefits. Direct benefits can be listed at the level of vessel that include more efficient use of crew and their skills, more efficient use of ship space, and increased fuel efficiency. Shipping companies would witness a positive effect in terms of revenue with autonomous applications as a result of reduction in cost of employing sailors along with the increased cargo space on the vessel. Moreover, remote and autonomous shipping allows improved optimization of operations and processes. For example, optimizing processes or operations based on realtime data enables economies of scale at fleet and company level as well as reducing the likelihood of human errors, contributing both to safety and service quality.
Increased Efficiency
One of the most significant advantages of autonomous shipping technology is the increased efficiency of operations. With the use of machine learning and advanced sensors, ships can optimize their speed, course, and fuel consumption, resulting in cost savings and reduced emissions. Autonomous ships can also operate 24/7 without crew rest requirements, which can significantly reduce transit times and increase the number of trips a vessel can make in a given period.
Improved Safety
Autonomous shipping technology can improve the safety of vessels and crew members. With the use of sensors, the ship can detect obstacles and adjust its course automatically. Additionally, the ship’s systems can monitor and report any malfunctions or issues, allowing for quick response times and preventing accidents before they occur. Autonomous ships can also operate in hazardous or remote environments where it may not be safe for crew members to be present.
Reduced Environmental Impact
Autonomous shipping technology can significantly reduce the environmental impact of the maritime industry. With the optimization of fuel consumption and emissions, autonomous ships can operate more sustainably. Furthermore, with the reduction of human error, there is a lower risk of oil spills and other environmental accidents.
Potential Cost Savings
Autonomous shipping technology has the potential to save the maritime industry significant costs in the long term. Crew-related expenses, such as wages, training, and insurance, are some of the most significant costs for shipping companies. By eliminating the need for crew members onboard, companies can reduce these costs significantly. Additionally, with the optimization of vessel operations, there is potential for fuel cost savings and increased efficiency in port operations.
Challenges and Drawbacks
While autonomous shipping technology presents many benefits, there are still challenges and drawbacks that need to be addressed. Cybersecurity risks, regulatory issues, and ethical considerations are just a few of the challenges that need to be addressed before mass adoption of autonomous shipping technology can occur. Additionally, there is still a need for human oversight and intervention, especially in emergency situations or when operating in areas with high vessel traffic.
Indirect benefits occur at company and network levels in the shipping sector. Remote and autonomous shipping allows improved optimization of operations and processes. For example, optimizing processes or operations based on real-time data enables economies of scale at fleet and company level as well as reducing the likelihood of human errors, contributing both to safety and service quality. In terms of the shipping sector, autonomous shipping will recast the roles
and reorganize the division of work.
A transition to remote-controlled and autonomous vessels will also have an impact on shipping, its resources and management. This transition will affect not only the technology-related operations, but will lead to changes in the way the shipping business operates, according to Rolls Royce. New kinds of capabilities will be required and some actors may find their roles changed. Global companies’ logistics chains are likely to become more integrated and adaptable using the whole fleet in an optimum way.
Ongoing digitalization and autonomous technologies will create new services already along the way towards autonomous shipping. Some of these services will support existing market players and some will allow new players to enter the market. For example, in the automotive sector the self-driving car has been seen as an opportunity not only by traditional car manufacturers, but also by entrants from other technology sectors.
Challenges
Remote and autonomous ships have potential to reduce human-based errors, but at the same time may modify some existing risks as well as create new types of risk. Cybersecurity will be critical to the safe and successful operation of remote and autonomous vessels.
The operation of remote and autonomous ships will need to be at least as safe as existing vessels if they are to secure regulatory approval, the support of ship owners, operators, seafarers and wider public acceptance. A vessel’s voyage is covered by a range of national, international and private legal frameworks. To further complicate matters, maritime law does not anticipate the development of remote or autonomous ships
Autonomous Ships Market
The global autonomous ships market size will grow from $6.88 billion in 2022 to $7.34 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The Russia-Ukraine war disrupted the chances of global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, at least in the short term. The war between these two countries has led to economic sanctions on multiple countries, a surge in commodity prices, and supply chain disruptions, causing inflation across goods and services and affecting many markets across the globe. The global autonomous ships market size is expected to grow to $9.47 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 6.6%.
Increasing marine accidents caused by human errors lead to high financial losses, which are predicted to act as a major driver for the growth of the autonomous ship market. Unmanned ships or autonomous technology apprehend accidents attributed to human errors and contribute to the higher potential of reducing onboard accidents. According to a 2021 report published by the Insurance Information Institute, a US industry association which exists to improve public understanding of insurance, in 2020, 49 large ships were completely lost, which is essentially unchanged from 48 in 2019. Therefore, the use of autonomous ships to reduce the increasing number of accidents due to human error and financial losses is expected to drive the demand for autonomous ships over the next few years.
The increasing threat of cybersecurity and privacy is expected to limit the growth of the autonomous ship market during the forecast period. The advancements in technology and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), mobility systems, and the internet of things (IoT) are creating higher chances of cybersecurity and data threats, which is a major challenge for the autonomous ship industry. According to the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)’s journal on cybersecurity of the autonomous ship, cybersecurity is a serious issue for autonomous ships, regardless of the form and level of autonomy of the ship, owing to their increased dependence on ICT for controlling the ship, accessibility of systems to the internet, and increased connectivity of the ship’s control system to onshore monitoring systems. Thus, the rising threat of cybersecurity and privacy is predicted to act as a major factor restraining the autonomous ship market over the forthcoming years.
Commercial, segment is projected to grow at a 9.4% CAGR to reach US$7.1 Billion by the end of the analysis period. The Defense segment currently accounts for a 37.5% share of the global Autonomous Ships market. The U.S. Market is Estimated at $1.4 Billion in 2022, While China is Forecast to Reach $1.6 Billion by 2026
As most of the global commercial cargo is transported through the sea, issues related to navigational safety, risk management at sea, and protection of human resources have high importance for shipping companies. Advanced digital solutions, such as autonomous ships can help address these issues efficiently. The commercial fleet is classified into bulk carrier, container, tanker, passenger, specialized vehicle, and offshore vehicle. Unlike naval vessels, commercial shipping has been relatively slow to tap the potential of full automation. Increasing the level of shipboard automation and systems integration can lead to significant operational savings for commercial ships. Thus, this segment offers significant potential for the autonomous ships market.
The increasing use of automation to reduce human errors and risks, increased budgets of shipping companies for the incorporation of ICT in vessels and increasing demand for situational awareness in vessels are some of the major factors driving the market during the forecast period.
The demand for new ships and the retrofitting of existing ships with advanced technologies is expected to grow with the increase in trade activities. New defense and commercial vessels are equipped with advanced systems for improved safety and efficiency. The implementation of advanced systems acts as an important driver for the autonomous ships market.
The rise in the investment in the autonomous projects acts as one of the major factors driving the growth of autonomous ships market. The increase in the development of next-generation autonomous vessels and the rise in the adoption of these systems in the vessels for the purpose of operating automate several processes such as navigation and propulsion of the vessel with the use of components and systems including sensors and automated navigation systems and propulsion control systems accelerate the market growth.
Digitalization in the shipping industry has led to an increased demand for automation systems across the globe, which, in turn, fuels the growth of the autonomous ships market. Tanker companies across the globe are increasing their budgets/spending to implement digitalization. According to various secondary research publications, there will be an increase of 58% year-on-year by these companies on their digitalization from 2017 to 2018. 54% of the ferry companies across the globe are also estimated to increase their spending on the digitalization of their vessels from 2017 to 2018. Moreover, 50% of service companies, which include companies offering tugs and dredgers; and 45% of deep sea fishing companies are estimated to increase their digitalization budgets from 2017 to 2018.
The rise in the development of software, use of automated systems to reduce human errors and risks and the increase in demand for situational awareness in vessels, further influence the market. Additionally, surge in budgets of shipping companies for the incorporation of ICT in vessels, urbanization and digitization and development of next-generation of autonomous vessels positively affect the autonomous ships market.
Furthermore, advancement in sensor technologies for improved navigation systems in autonomous ships and innovations in propulsion systems for autonomous ships extend profitable opportunities to the market players in the forecast period of 2021 to 2028.
On the other hand, Cost-intensive customization of marine automation systems and lack of common standards for data generated from different subsystems in a ship are expected to obstruct the market growth. Concerns regarding vulnerability associated with cyber threats and lack of skilled personnel to handle and operate marine automation systems are projected to challenge the autonomous ships market in the forecast period of 2021-2028.
Market Segments
On the basis of ship type, the autonomous ships market is segmented into commercial and defense.
Based on autonomy, the autonomous ships market is segmented into fully autonomous, remotely-operated and partial automation. The growth of the fully autonomous segment of the autonomous ships market can be attributed to the increased investments in developing autonomous ships in European region.
Based on ship type, the autonomous ships market is segmented into commercial and defense. The commercial segment is expected to grow at the higher CAGR, owing to the rising seaborne trade and tourism across the globe.
The systems segment of the autonomous ships market has been classified into communications & connectivity; intelligent awareness systems; and reliability, health & safety management. The communications & connectivity segment has been further divided under communication management systems into satellite system, very small aperture terminal, and terrestrial communication system. These systems enable autonomy in different ship components.
Naval ships play a vital role in tactical data link operations, a part of the ship communication management systems. Tactical communication systems are used by naval forces to improve decision-making and for high reaction speed. These systems also provide access to widely dispersed naval troops and weapons. The tactical data link systems enable naval forces to operate in a synchronized manner, which is not possible through the traditional means. They allow naval forces to exchange sensor data on battlefields. These systems utilize sensor grids, engagement grids, high-quality information grids, and Command and Control (C2) processes to create a common operating picture of the battlefield, thereby allowing troops to respond quickly to enemy threats.
On the basis of solution, the autonomous ships market is segmented into system, software. System is further segmented into modules and structures.
On the basis of propulsion type, the autonomous ships market is segmented into fully electric and hybrid.
On the basis of fuel type, the autonomous ships market is segmented into carbon neutral fuels, LNG, electric batteries and heavy fuel/ marine engine fuel.
Based on end use, the autonomous ships market is segmented into linefit and retrofit. The linefit segment is estimated to account for a larger share in 2020 as compared to the retrofit segment. The growth of the line fit segment can be attributed to the increased investments in naval defense by various countries and rise in seaborne trade activities across the globe.
Regional outlook
The Autonomous Ships market in the U.S. is estimated at US$1.4 Billion in the year 2022. The country currently accounts for a 20.09% share in the global market. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$1.6 Billion in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 10.3% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 6.8% and 8.1% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 9.4% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$842.2 Million by the end of the analysis period.
Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the autonomous ships market due to the increase the demand for commercial vessels and large presence of shipping sector within the region. Europe is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period of 2021 to 2028 because of the rise in demand for cruise ships as well as autonomous ships and adoption of autonomous systems and components to be retrofitted in the existing ships in the region.
Industry
Key players are ABB, GENERAL ELECTRIC, Vigor Industrial LLC., Honeywell International Inc., Rolls-Royce plc, Wärtsilä, KONGSBERG, Siemens, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., Marine Technologies, LLC, Praxis Automation Technology B.V., L3Harris Technologies, Inc., Northrop Grumman., Mitsui E&S Holdings Co., Ltd., DNV GL, Fugro, Valmet, ASELSAN A.Ş., BAE Systems., Samsung Heavy Industries and Ulstein among other domestic and global players.
Conclusion
Autonomous shipping technology has the potential to revolutionize the maritime industry. With increased efficiency, improved safety, reduced environmental impact, and potential cost savings, it is a significant step towards a more sustainable and efficient future for the industry. However, there are still challenges and drawbacks that need to be addressed before mass adoption can occur. The future of the maritime industry is exciting, and it will be fascinating to see how autonomous shipping technology continues to evolve and shape the industry in the coming years.
References and Resources also include:
https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-autonomous-ships-market
