Benefits and Challenges of Autonomous Systems in the Maritime Industry

Professor John McDermid, director of the Centre for Assuring Autonomy, discusses the potential benefits of autonomous systems in the maritime industry. These systems could help reduce fuel consumption, lower operating costs, and improve safety by requiring smaller crews on vessels. However, challenges around assurance and high costs mean economic benefits may take time to materialize. The Global Maritime Trends report emphasizes the ongoing need for crews on board for safety reasons, even as automation is integrated.

Debates around artificial intelligence (AI) in autonomous systems also focus on safety and assurance. The Centre for Assuring Autonomy has developed systematic approaches like SACE for systems and AMLAS for ML components in maritime. These tools help assess and demonstrate the safety of AI components, especially as regulations and standards around machine learning (ML) are still evolving. Regulations for autonomous systems vary across sectors, with organizations like the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Lloyd’s Register Group working to establish guidelines.

Ethical deployment of AI and autonomous systems in maritime is crucial to minimize operational risks. Issues like potential environmental damage from late fuel switches and worker health concerns in AI development must be considered. The Centre for Assuring Autonomy collaborates with industry and regulators to provide impartial advice on responsible and ethical innovation. As new technologies emerge, ongoing reviews of safety and ethical considerations will be essential for the successful integration of autonomous systems in the maritime industry.

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