Abstract
The introduction of the maritime autonomous surface ship (MASS) to the maritime industry will open up a new era and bring about a new paradigm shift in terms of cost efficiency, maritime accidents, and human resources. Various studies are currently being conducted to realize the MASS. Understanding the scope and direction of these studies will be of great help for future MASS research. In this study, the current development status of technologies for autonomous ships is identified, and considerations and directions of improvement are suggested for six major research fields that cover all technological issues of MASS. Firstly, the results of the regulatory scoping exercise (RSE) on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions to accept MASSs are identified; in particular, human elements are identified as vital issues to be considered for the design and operation of MASSs. Secondly, various studies on the decision-making system are identified, and the future direction is suggested. Thirdly, in terms of ship design and propulsion system, design changes for autonomous cargo ships are investigated, with their potential impacts to be considered. Fourthly, the communication system will need to be robust and supported by multiple systems to minimize potential risk with third-party infrastructures, and suitable protection of systems, networks, and data will be required as an integral part of the safety system for cybersecurity. Fifthly, issues of maintenance and repair are identified, with a maintenance strategy to be considered. Lastly, hazard analysis of the autonomous ship is explored, and system-theoretic process analysis (STPA) and the functional resonance analysis method (FRAM) are identified as the most representative new methods that can be used for hazard analysis of autonomous ships.
Highlights
At the 8th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in March 1964, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) first discussed automation in ships [1]
The autonomous ships are expected to adopt more comprehensive communication systems, such as the navigation systems related to positioning and route-setting, marine satellite systems, data communication systems for information related to navigation and safety between ships at sea and infrastructures onshore (e.g., shore control center (SCC), ports), and remote monitoring and control systems
Basnet et al [74] concluded that functional resonance analysis method (FRAM) and system-theoretic process analysis (STPA) can be optimal methods to analyze the hazards of complex and interconnected systems of autonomous ships, and Relling et al [75] argued that systemic safety models can be candidates for assessing safety in designing autonomous ships
Summary
At the 8th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in March 1964, the IMO first discussed automation in ships [1]. Development and research on the automation of ships have been ongoing, and the maritime industry is preparing for the operation of MASSs based on technology development. MASS operation [13]; an artificial neural network decision-making system to help optimize the use of optimize the use of fuel for ships [14]; STPA for the risk assessment of autonomous ships [15]. Fuel for ships [14]; STPA for the risk assessment of autonomous ships [15] These studies are Currently, these studies are being conducted in a wide variety of fields. For operation, study basically considers eight techniques, which were identified in a previous study [16] for MASS that are different from conventional vessels.
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