Towards utilizing autonomous ships: A viable advance in industry 4.0

Figures & data

Table 1. Different levels of autonomy by IMO (IMO 2018), Lloyd’s Register (Lloyd’s Register 2017) & Rolls-Royce (Rolls Royce Marine 2016).

Levels by IMO	Levels by Lloyd’s Register (2017)	Levels by Rolls-Royce (2016)
L 1 – Ship with automated processes and decision support. L 2 – Remotely controlled ship with seafarers on board. L 3 – Remotely controlled ship without seafarers on board. L 4 – Fully autonomous ship.	L 0 – Manual steering L 1 – On-board decision support. L 2 – On and off-board decision support. L 3 – “Active” human in the loop. L 4 – Human in the loop. L 5 – Autonomous. L 6 – Fully autonomous.	L 1 – The computer provides no assistance, human in charge of all decisions and actions L 2 – The computer provides a complete set of decision alternatives. L 3 – Computer narrows alternatives down to a few. L 4 – Computer suggests single alternative. L 5 – The computer executes the suggested action if human approves. L 6 – The computer provides human beings limited time to veto before automatic execution L 7 – The computer operates automatically, when necessary, informing human. L 8 – The computer informs human only if asked. L 9 – The computer informs humans only if it decides so. L 10 – The computer does everything autonomously ignoring humans.

Table 2. SWOT analysis of Autonomous Shipping.

SWOT analysis of Autonomous Shipping
Strengths	Weakness
Reduces Human Interactions: (Headcount savings, raises wares capability, reduces labor cost) Reduces fuel consumption Increases time and energy efficiency Increases monitoring activity Gaining efficiency in other shipping activities (sailing over sea/river/port, passing locks and bridges, docking or departing, loading and unloading, preparing for next sail) Reduces port expenses and management cost	High software reliability High capital cost High maintenance schedule Lack of local infrastructure or skilled manpower Change in ship design
Opportunities	Threats
Reduces piracy risks Reduces human errors & maritime accidents Feasible Alternative to pandemic situation (Covid 19 Scenario) Increases loading and discarding rate Eco friendly Creates new job sector	Job replacement factors Encounter with manned ship Remote control network risk and cyber attacks Legal implications & adoption of marine regulations Uncertainty of maritime insurance Energy-supply risk

Figure 1. Schematic procedure of the study.

Figure 2. Errors in shipping.

Figure 3. Cargo annual costs; Source: Rolls-Royce data.

Figure 4. Economic Cost of Somali Piracy (2010–2017); Source: Oceans Beyond Piracy website (“The state of maritime piracy”).

Figure 5. (Image Courtesy: Rolls-Royce).

IMO. 2018. “IMO Takes First Steps to Address Autonomous Ships. International Maritime Organization.” March 22 https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/08-MSC-99-MASS-scoping.aspx

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Lloyd’s Register. 2017. “Ship Right Design and Construction: Design Code for Unmanned Marine Systems.” June 10 https://www.cdinfo.lr.org/information/documents/ShipRight/Design%20and%20Construction/Additional%20Design%20Procedures/Design%20Code%20for%20Unmanned%20Marine%20Systems/Design%20Code%20for%20Unmanned%20Marine%20Systems,%20February%202017.pdf

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Rolls Royce Marine. 2016. “Autonomous Ships the Next Step.”

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“The state of maritime piracy.” 2019 https://oceansbeyondpiracy.org/reports/sop/summary

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