Abstract
Autonomous ships have received significant attention in recent years. However, they are not yet widely adopted in the maritime industry yet. A wide range of predictions have been made about when the technological change will occur. This paper analyses technologies that are critical to autonomous shipping and forecasts a range of times when they will reach technical and economic viability. The researched technologies include data transfer, navigation, cargo handling, fuel cells and diesel engines. The results indicate that the GPS navigation precision required for autonomous shipping is not yet technically feasible and the expected feasibility time frame is between 2030 and 2058. The remaining technologies all show technological feasibility, but not yet economic viability. The forecasted range for economic viability of data transfer is a narrow range of 2024-2025, while cost of automated cargo handling will reach the current expense levels somewhere between 2036 and 2101.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | INEC Conference 2018 |
Subtitle of host publication | SSRN |
Publisher | SSRN |
Number of pages | 11 |
Publication status | Published - 2018 |
Event | INEC/iSCSS 2018: 14th International Naval Engineering Conference and Exhibition & International Ship Control Systems Symposium - Glasgow, United Kingdom Duration: 2 Oct 2018 → 4 Oct 2018 |
Conference
Conference | INEC/iSCSS 2018: 14th International Naval Engineering Conference and Exhibition & International Ship Control Systems Symposium |
---|---|
Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
City | Glasgow |
Period | 2/10/18 → 4/10/18 |
Keywords
- Autonomous shipping
- Technology forecasting
- unmanned ship