Automation and autonomous ships: how will this affect the market?

Petros Achtypis, of Prevention at Sea, considers risk management concerns as new technology arrives


Technology, skills, training, repairs, maintenance, new risks, new types of contracts; these are just some of the “big questions” when we consider the impact of automation in the shipping market. But first, it is important to differentiate between terms that are often loosely applied and poorly understood – namely, the use of automation, automated ships and autonomous ships.