Maritime

There are many successful experimental autonomous vessel trials, and several countries have ambitious programmes to accept autonomous services and operations within the limits of their territorial seas. In order to do this safely we need to balance the desire to enable responsible innovation with the need for workable regulations. 

In recent years we have been working on this challenge using our extensive experience in safety critical industries. Our primary frameworks - AMLAS and SACE - are being progressively adopted in several sectors including maritime and were well-received during a presentation to the IMO MASS working group in November 2023.

As a Centre we can support the maritime community to introduce autonomous and remotely operated vessels and/or functions in the following ways:

• Develop or review assurance strategies for vessel developers and operators.
• Assist in design for safety and design for assurance.
• Advise on human factors. For example, for remote operating centres.
• Help develop safety cases for autonomous vessels and ROCs.
• Undertake research to explore new concepts, e.g. remote pilotage.
• Development of briefing papers on key topics, e.g. cyber resilience.
• Help to upskill staff.

We can do this through:

• Collaborative research and research partnerships
• Funded projects (e.g. direct industry, or funded by 3rd parties)
• Development of briefing papers on key topics
• Visiting fellowships
• PhD studentships and industry / regulator-based PhD students
• Sector workshops
• Education and training including continuing professional development