Autonomous Archives - The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS)

DNV GL rolls out remote surveys for all vessels

Posted on March 20, 2019March 20, 2019 by News Hound

The Maritime Operational Centre in Høvik from where remote surveys are being carried out.

Leading classification society DNV GL announced today that all DNV GL classed vessels are now able to utilize the possibility of remote surveys for some inspections through the Veracity data platform. This means that for a range of surveys, a DNV GL surveyor will not be required to travel to the vessel.

Instead, by using an online connection or video streaming link, a dedicated team of remote surveyors can provide support to vessels anywhere in the world with documentation, images, video (streaming or recordings), and input provided by the customer and crew.

“This is another big step forward in using the power of digitalization and increased connectivity to deliver smarter and more efficient services,” said Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV GL – Maritime.

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New report on the human impact of autonomous ships published by IMarEST

Posted on September 14, 2018September 14, 2018 by News Hound

In a major piece of research, perhaps one of the most detailed of its kind to be undertaken into the potential human impact of autonomous vessels to date, the IMarEST’s Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships Special Interest Group sought to gauge the potential impact of self-governing ships and plot out a new course for the shipping industry’s valued workforce.

Autonomous technologies could create a competitive advantage for shipping companies but adoption will vary significantly between market segments. This was one conclusion reached in an industry-wide investigation conducted by the IMarEST’s Marine Autonomous Surface Ships special interest group (MASS-SIG). An initial survey went on to inform a roundtable discussion which in turn formed the basis of a report: “Autonomous Shipping – Putting the Human Back in the Headlines”.

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World’s first autonomous and electric container ship is one step closer to launch as yard is chosen

Posted on August 16, 2018August 17, 2018 by News Hound

The world’s first autonomous and electric container ship is one step closer to launch, with Norwegian agricultural company Yara signing a deal with Vard worth approximately NOK 250 million ($30 million) to build the vessel.

Vard will deliver the 120-TEU Yara Birkeland for launch in early 2020 from its Brevik yard in Norway, and the vessel will gradually move from manned operation to fully autonomous operation by 2022. The hull will be delivered from Vard Braila in Romania.

The project was initiated in an effort to improve the logistics at Yara’s Porsgrunn fertilizer plant. Every day, more than 100 diesel truck journeys are needed to transport products from Yara’s Porsgrunn plant to ports in Brevik and Larvik where the company ships products to Continue reading “World’s first autonomous and electric container ship is one step closer to launch as yard is chosen”

Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen joint venture to launch an autonomous shipping only organisation entitled Massterly

Posted on April 6, 2018April 6, 2018 by News Hound

The inexorable race to develop autonomous ships has taken another step forward with the announcement of an autonomous shipping only joint venture between well known shipping major Wilhelmsen Group and technology company Kongsberg, entitled Massterly.

“Norway has taken a position at the forefront in developing autonomous ships,” said Thomas Wilhelmsen, Wilhelmsen group CEO.

“[Through] Massterly, we take the next step on this journey by establishing infrastructure and services to design and operate vessels, as well as advanced logistics solutions associated with maritime autonomous operations. Massterly will reduce costs at all levels.”

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