Robotic era brought us giant water vehicles-drones.
Rolls-Royce Blue Ocean development stuff created modern land-based captains dream - newest virtual reality offering them remotely controlled teamless tankers. This model imitates 360-degree bridge views.
Such crafts’ possibilities answer contemporary environmental requirements: cheapness, safety, environmentally-friendly arrangements.
Apparently, within 10 years the Baltic sea region turns into implementation area, bringing marine business some flourishing degree.
Now, specialists prepare “Maritime Unmanned Navigation through Intelligence project” study for identifying real prices/benefits.
Innovations design
Plan formation was launched 1 year ago despite major organizations/engineers feel really skeptical.
Innovative scheme shows here box loading from front to back.
Reducing necessary fuel level (by 12%) while construction becomes lighter, starts with replacing electricity, conditioning.
Protection
Crew expenses account half of overall ship's operating costs. But still experts have doubts cost savings could justify many cyber inventions safety-insurance investments.
Others just refuse imagining above-described ship type moving independently.
Regulation
Actually, robot tugs are illegal under world conventions prescribing minimum seamen on board.
The IMO hasn’t required any remote-controlled boats’ suggestions.
Unless PC-controlled fleet do not meet rules, it’s considered unseaworthy.
Opposition
International Transport Workers (union counting 600,000 seafarers) are opposed, persisting in indispensable human role when something unexpected occurs.
However, program initiators reassure that above mentioned automated management transition will be very smooth, speaking only about bulk/container carriers.
Computer Advantages
Remote control must be constantly monitored if we want prevent possible failures or redundant systems’ running.
Besides, computers examine operation data enhancing capacity, revealing existing aquatic barriers either conserving finance.
Moreover, often people’s errors caused serious accidents.
Professionals needed
Barges without personnel represent both superiority and inconveniences: decreasing piracy risks, removing sailors’ repatriation liability, they might become exposed to hackers’ hijaching. Accordingly, chiefs, repairmen, etc. continue being a significant part in barges’ supervision/maintenance.
Anyway, debates show more academical than operational character.