Remote & Autonomous Ship Technology

Kongsberg Maritime's Remote & Autonomous Ship Technology enables commercial vessels to be monitored, remotely operated or run autonomously, with solutions tailored to individual vessel requirements and operational profiles.

Key technologies

• Remote Operations Centre (ROC) – navigators and fleet managers operate vessels in transit or in harbour via satellite, WLAN, 4G or 5G from remote workstations; a vessel can switch to autonomous mode with ROC operators retaking control in unexpected events; the ROC can also cover onboard crew rest periods, and pilots can remotely control port manoeuvres
• Autocrossing and autodocking – introduced in 2016 for ferries; the ship's systems and sensors work with the power and propulsion system to perform predictable, fuel-efficient transits including acceleration and deceleration, and automated repetitive docking
• Situational awareness and collision avoidance – AI and machine learning detect, classify and track objects, obstacles, vessels and shoreline; 360° sensor fusion combined with position, velocity and attitude data, plus cameras for poor weather and night; alerts on reduced sensor capability

Delivery models

• Segment solutions – complete R&A package for a vessel or fleet (ship, connectivity, ROC), operated by the owner's own crew
• Service solutions – R&A operations as a service through subsidiary Massterly, including crewing and asset management
• Product solutions – individual R&A products applied to newbuilds or retrofitted to older vessels

Stated benefits

• Reduced risk of human error
• Lower fuel use and emissions through optimised routes, navigation and cargo handling
• Fewer crew onboard, simplifying ship design and reducing build cost
• New shore-based maritime roles