Page 14: of Marine News Magazine (April 2021)

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Insights which is certainly a fascinating subject—there are a lot of

There is much to discuss in the matter expectations around this technology, but the reality of its of decarbonization with alternative fuels, application means that full autonomy in the short term batteries and hybrid solutions. How fast and is only really likely to develop in initial application. And how far are operators moving to reduce their

I’m talking here about small survey or surveillance craft. emissions, and what do you see as the main

Such application out of the main shipping lane is yet to tools or techniques to get it done?

develop a need for constant remote control. In the next SJ: Decarbonization is a very trendy topic, both in the few years, our perception is to try and avoid the issues of U.S. and globally. If the decarbonization is the end goal ship shore interface and perhaps safety in busy shipping and generally reducing emissions is a path to meet that lanes. It’s likely that the technology will ? rst develop by goal, I think it’s important to remember that the correct offering intelligent level of autonomy, whereas the tech- foundation is and will always be the right vessel design nology is used as a way to reduce manual control. It also for the intended operation. It could be that the best way brings a level of controversy, of course. In the longer term, to reduce emissions remains to reduce the energy require- we see the river transportation and then perhaps short ments in the ? rst place. And this process should be used sea shipping as the main sectors of the industry where to de? ne the vessel requirements as well, reducing speeds autonomy will be able to develop and mature. Typically, or parameters that will allow to reduce carbon emissions. these routes are shorter and avoid, to some extent, issues An ef? cient hull form and generically an ef? cient design associated with vessel reliability.

is key to leverage the technologies you have mentioned,

BMT has designed a panamaran vessel platform for long-range autonomous operations.

14 | MN April 2021