Page 22: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (July 2016)

DRONES & MARITIME

SHIP SERVICE

Maersk Tankers is testing drones for making deliveries to its vessel.

Is the Maritime Industry Ready?

(Photo: Maersk Group)

BY SEAN T. PRIBYL nmanned aerial systems witnessed with gradual acceptance and over the next ? ve years, growth in the ents so they can position themselves to (UAS), or “drones” in com- implementation of containerization, commercial and civilian market of the take advantage of the progresses in UAS mon parlance, are not a part Global Positioning System (GPS), and UAS industry is generally predicted to technology as they navigate largely un-

Uof the historical maritime Electronic Chart Display and Informa- surpass that of the defense industry. But, charted waters. vocabulary. At least not yet. While the tion System (ECDIS). Now, UAS harken while research, development, and manu- term “drones” may conjure images from yet another new frontier for the maritime facturing for UAS technology continues

The Cookie Test and science ? ction, the reality is that compa- industry. Accordingly, UAS may afford to rapidly evolve, regulators have been

What Follows Next nies are designing commercial UAS for the maritime industry a novel approach struggling to keep pace. Consequently, The following is a summary of key de- the private sector, and they are gradually to cost and time savings, and clients the legal issues that surround the use velopments in particular segments of the permeating our daily life. Henry Ford is should be poised to harness the potential of UAS remain complex, and in some maritime industry.

rumored to have opined on his invention advantages UAS offer. In other words, in areas, unsettled. And, as with any new of the automobile that if he had asked order to survive and evolve, the maritime innovation, there are bene? ts and risks, Resupply at Sea people what they wanted, they would industry should not search for “faster and commercial UAS are no exception. Currently, in order to send urgent med- have said “faster horses.” In the case of horses” for everyday maritime endeav- Nonetheless, as the use of UAS becomes ical supplies, mail, documents, spare

UAS, they are quickly evolving into a ors, and UAS provide an evolving list of more prevalent in the maritime indus- parts, provisions, and the like to a ves- useful maritime business tool due to the potential uses in the maritime, energy, try, this articles offers an awareness of sel underway or at anchor, owners and innovative opportunities they provide. shipping, offshore, and ship construction the practical areas in which unmanned operators must rely on conventional

From the ? rst merchant vessels that markets. aerial vehicles can have a positive im- means for delivery, such as boats, barg- plied the seas, technology in the mari- While UAS were initially developed pact across the maritime industry, and es, or sending the vessel to port to tie-up time industry continues to evolve, as for government and military operations, provides recommendations to assist cli- alongside a pier. However, these options 22 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JULY 2016

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