Unmanned shipping: improved environmental protection? Dr Bénédicte Sage-Fuller School of Law

1. Unmanned shipping: MUNIN hg

1. Unmanned shipping: Rolls Royce

1. Unmanned ships: ReVolt

2. MUNIN: achievements and limitations Objectives: 1.Reduce operational expenses 2.Reduce environmental impact of maritime transport 3.Attract maritime professionals to the industry Baseline scenario: dry bulk carrier, deep-sea part of voyage Aim: autonomous navigation (rather than remote controlled navigation)

2. MUNIN: achievements and limitations

Advanced Sensor Module (ASM) Autonomous Navigation System (ANS) Autonomous Engine and Monitoring Control System (AEMC) Shore Control Centre (SCC), with: -Shore Control Centre Operator -Shore Control Centre Engineer -Shore Control Centre Situation Room Team

2. MUNIN: achievements and limitations Safety and security analysis: -Potential for significant reduction of collision and foundering -Elimination of fatigue -Improved engine redundancy and maintenance -Fire and explosion also reduced (less)

2. MUNIN: achievements and limitations Greening of shipping: -Use of alternative fuels -Reduction of shipping gas emissions -Advanced automatic energy management systems -Improved routing and navigation -Disappearance of accommodation superstructure -Newbuilt rather than retrofit

2. MUNIN: achievements and limitations Rolls Royce SCC vision (released 22 March 2016)

2. MUNIN: achievements and limitations MUNIN SCC (June 2015)

3. Identified legal issues 1.The question of navigation without “human” look out 2.The question of manning 3.The engine room and maintenance issues 4.The various areas of potential liability 5.The question of insurance.

3. …the “human” look out 1972 Collisions Regulations Convention Applicability to unmanned ships? Part B: Steering and Sailing rules (Rules 4-19) Section I, Rule 5: “proper look out”, “at all times”, by “sight and hearing” “by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances” Checking that ship is in order And avoiding other shipping

3. …the “human” look out Can the MUNIN unmanned autonomous ship comply with Rule 5? Deep Sea Navigation System: conduct weather routing and conduct collision avoidance Navigation requires information about the ship (technical limitations, speed, manoeuvrability, responsiveness, etc) and its vicinity (weather, sea state, surrounding traffic, etc) DSNS connected to Advanced Sensor Module (ASM), Weather Routeing Module (WRM), Automated Engine Monitoring and Control (AEMC) and Remote Manoeuvring Support System (RMSS)

3.…the “human” look out The ASM’s functions: 1.Object detection and identification (radar, ARPA, camera imagery, AIS) 2.Weather observation (meteorological sensors) 3.Sea sate, ocean surface current, bathymetry (radar and camera imagery) 4.Visibility (continuously assessed by visual system) All observations and data are collected and correlated. “This enables a thorough situational assessment based on robust data to detect and identify potential hazards to the UAS’ safe voyage”

3.…the “human” look out Distinction between strategic routeing and operational routeing Operational counter measures are adopted by the DSNS when adverse conditions are detected. Voyage planning (SOLAS V/34)  Can this concept meet the requirements of Rule 5?  Can a cogent argument be made to this effect?

3.…the “human” look out

Conclusion -MUNIN contends that the unmanned ship can be at least as safe as a manned ship -Automation has already and for a long time eroded the role of the ship captain and of other seafarers', full autonomous navigation can be seen as just one step further. -Or is there a complete paradigm shift? -Is there really a difference between an unmanned ship requiring assistance and a ship captain calling for assistance?

Thank you to the MUNIN legal team: Helen Noble Jeffrey Horahan, BL Hugh McDowell, BL Bénédicte Sage-Fuller The Rolls Royce SCC concept: xE&feature=youtu.be