Offshore service vessel SeaZip 3 has carried out autonomous sea trials in the North Sea for the first time.
The trials are part of a two-year joint industry project in the Netherlands covering autonomous shipping, which started in 2017, and has 17 partners.
SeaZip 3 was involved in 11 scenarios in which the vessel interacted with two other ships, said Netherlands Maritime Technology innovation director and project leader Marnix Krikke.
The other ships were Octans, a training vessel of the Maritime Institute Willem Barentsz and Guardian, an emergency towage vessel operated by The Netherlands Coastguard.
The tests demonstrated the decision-making process of an autonomous system, which was provided by Robosys Automation, in ensuring safe sailing and avoiding collisions with other vessels, the partners said.
The autonomous system was connected to the on-board autopilot and machinery control system and performed the evasive manoeuvres in a safe way.
In conclusion, the partners said that further development of autonomous systems is needed, to cope with complex marine traffic situations in a more efficient way.
The tests will also provide input for an autonomous shipping roadmap that will define lessons learned and obstacles, technology and its potential, as well as steps to be taken towards further realisation.
The roadmap will guide development of the technology in the Netherlands, the partners said.
SeaZip Offshore Service managing partner Mark van der Star said: “We are continually busy with innovation at SeaZip Offshore Service and proud that our offshore service vessel SeaZip 3 is the first ship to carry out a fully autonomous test on the North Sea.
“Participating in this project has enhanced our knowledge in a wide range of fields and will help us grow further as a shipping company in the future.”
Other partners in the project include Fugro and Damen Shipyards.
A video of the trials can be found here.