Widespread autonomous ships face long-term deployment challenges

Autonomous ships are becoming a part of the maritime industry, but widespread use is still a long way off. These large, crew-less vessels operate without direct human control, relying on advanced technology like sensors and artificial intelligence. The global market for autonomous ships grew over 5% last year and is expected to expand by 30% by 2028. Currently, around 90% of the world’s goods are transported by sea, highlighting the potential for this technology. The market is projected to exceed $10 billion by 2029, up from $7.7 billion last year. The Asia-Pacific region leads in the adoption of this technology due to its strong investment in maritime activities and shipbuilding. Experts believe that autonomous ships can improve safety and efficiency in shipping by reducing human errors. Authorities note that human mistakes often lead to accidents like collisions or groundings. There is also a shortage of qualified seafarers, particularly in countries like Japan, where many crew members are aging. Some experts suggest that automation could help address this crew crisis. The MV Yara Birkeland is an example of an autonomous vessel that has been operating since 2022. It makes regular trips with only three crew members, and plans are to further reduce crew numbers. However, experts agree that fully autonomous ships in international waters will take decades to be fully realized. Challenges remain, such as ensuring safe communication between autonomous ships and control centers. There are also concerns about cybersecurity, especially in busy sea lanes and ports. The maritime community is working on developing international standards to help these ships operate safely, but achieving this is complex and requires cooperation among many players.