What are the most relevant emerging technologies for maritime and shipping (e.g., autonomous vessels)? What are the risks and opportunities for the UK across economic, social, and environmental dimensions? 

Background

The grow and level up the economy strategic priority is at the heart of the government’s agenda to spread opportunity across the UK. Transport has a crucial role to play, whether it be through improving connectivity across the United Kingdom and growing the economy by enhancing the transport network, on time and on budget. DfT has a number of specific interests in this space, notably our infrastructure projects, Places for Growth and our apprenticeships and skills work.

Next steps

Get in touch with bridgetoresearch@dft.gov.uk

Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

DFT-Areas of research interest 2023 GOV UK

Related UKRI funded projects


  • Maritime autonomous shipping: A UK-Taiwan joint cooperation in integrating the regulatory framework

    International shipping is the life blood of the global economy as vessels carry more than 80% of world trade. The industry is regulated primarily by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) - a United Nations agency...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: Liverpool John Moores University

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project addresses the question fully and the authors have the necessary expertise in the field of maritime autonomous shipping.

  • MOST (AV) Autonaut SMART Proof of Market

    MOST (AV) is an SME that has taken the concept of autonomous, self-propelled, surface vessels to production reality. AutoNaut provides unique, robust, cost effective, game-changing opportunities for a variety of markets ...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: AUTONAUT LIMITED

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project partially addresses the question by focusing on autonomous surface vessels and their data collection capabilities, and the authors have the necessary expertise in the field.

  • Future Fleet

    **'3rd Space Future Fleet' is a dynamic, immersive control surface for operators of autonomous maritime vessels and fleets.** Using the latest 3D reality capture and real time game engine production pipelines, **3rd Spa...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: 3RD SPACE LIMITED

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project is relevant as it deals with autonomous maritime vessels, an emerging technology in the maritime and shipping industry, but it does not address the risks and opportunities for the UK across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

  • Industrial Research of ROC for swarm operations

    ACUA Ocean (AO) is a clean-maritime start-up that has designed (patent pending) a long-endurance liquid hydrogen-powered maritime autonomous surface ship (MASS), also referred to as an uncrewed surface vessel (USV). By c...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: ACUA OCEAN LIMITED

    Why might this be relevant?

    Addresses the development and feasibility of remote operating centers for swarm operations in the maritime sector, focusing on autonomous vessels and their impact on the UK's position in robotics and autonomous systems.

  • FrontM HOTG Integration to bring Edge AI for Collision Avoidance in Maritime

    We are on a mission to protect the global marine ecosystem and save lives from accidental collisions between vessels at sea. Our vision is of a safer, fairer, and more sustainable industry. To achieve this we need to ta...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: FRONTM LIMITED

  • Edge-CONNECT: Integrated marine fleet management and telematics solution

    In the maritime industry today, optimizing vessel performance by reducing fuel consumption, emissions and operating costs is of paramount importance for both environmental and operational reasons. Until recently, R&D...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: REYGAR LIMITED

  • Unlocking the potential of mini-MASS in UK waters

    Our groundbreaking initiative seeks to revolutionise the smaller Marine Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) ('mini-MASS') market, addressing a crucial obstacle hindering the widespread adoption of Uncrewed Surface Vessels (US...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: UNMANNED SURVEY SOLUTIONS LIMITED

  • Project IConIC (Intelligent Condition monitoring with Integrated Communications)

    Project IConIC (Intelligent Condition monitoring with Integrated Communications) will develop a revolutionary system that provides accurate prediction for vessel performance and operation. It represents a step-change in ...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: STS DEFENCE LIMITED

  • Furlong Vision: Advancing marine autonomy through a robust and cost-effective position referencing system

    For a rapidly growing number of ships, increasing layers of redundancy in advanced navigation systems to accurately measure position and heading are vital to underpin mission-specific permissions/safety cases that addres...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: FURLONG SENSING LTD

  • Unmanned Safe Maritime Operations Over The Horizon (USMOOTH)

    The USMOOTH project addresses regulatory and safety issues appertaining to unmanned Over The Horizon (OTH) operations of Unmanned Surface Vessels and will develop robust vessel behaviours, reliable communications, situat...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: AUTONOMOUS SURFACE VEHICLES LIMITED