Research project aims at low-emission autonomous ships

Funded by Tekes (Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation) with EUR 6.6 million, it aims to produce specifications and preliminary designs for the next generation of advanced ship solutions. The project, to run until the end of 2017,  will bring together universities, ship designers, equipment manufacturers and classification societies to explore the economic, social, legal, regulatory and technological factors that need to be addressed to make autonomous ships a reality. It will combine the expertise of some of Finland’s top academic researchers from Tampere University of Technology, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Åbo Akademi University, Aalto University, the University of Turku, and leading members of the maritime cluster including Rolls-Royce, NAPA, Deltamarin, DNV GL and Inmarsat. 
The technological work stream, to be led by Rolls-Royce’s Blue Ocean team, will encompass the implications of remote control and autonomy of ships for propulsion, deck machinery and automation and control. Where possible, established technology will be used for rapid commercialisation.
The Blue Ocean team is responsible for research and development of future maritime technologies and focuses on disruptive, game-changing innovations. By combining new technologies with new approaches to ship design and system integration, it aims to reduce operational costs, minimise emissions and enhance the earning capability of vessels.