UK classification society Lloyd's Register (LR) has teamed up with two Asian partners to develop what it claims will be a "world-first" autonomous navigation systems for ships.
It will work with Singapore IT player ST Engineering Electronics (STEE) and trader Mitsui & Co on the project.
The agreement forms part of the Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA)-funded "World’s Largest Ocean-Going Autonomous Vessel Programme", launched on Wednesday.
“LR’s involvement in this project builds on the capability and experience already gained from our partnership in other industry-leading and world first autonomous projects,” said Andy McKeran, LR commercial director for marine and offshore.
“However, this project, a world first for the deployment of autonomous navigational technology to an ocean-going vessel for commercial operations, pushes the boundaries of autonomous technology and moves the industry towards deployment of autonomous navigation systems onboard vessels for enhanced performance and critically, safety.”
He said STEE had already developed and proven the technology and was now looking to work to scale in the commercial marine market.
"We will support with expertise on assurance, certification and regulation for the application of autonomy in the maritime environment as well as approval of systems where appropriate,” McKeran added.
MPA has initiated five autonomous vessel projects worth SGD 7.2m ($5.32m) with various companies.
The idea is to control the sails of a large commercial vessel autonomously.
STEE will develop and install perception and navigation modules on a Singapore-flagged car carrier.
