Autonomy

Autonomous ships—vessels that can operate independently of human intervention, particularly for navigation tasks—represent a rapidly growing market. LR helps you adopt and expand the use of autonomous vessels:

• Trusted Test, Evaluation, and Certification: Verification of autonomous ship and system integrity and compliance with international standards through rigorous testing protocols. In addition, LR evaluates cutting-edge automation, AI, and sensor fusion, giving you a clear path to safe and reliable operations.
• Holistic, Agile, and Progressive Assurance Model: Dynamic assurance frameworks to protect your investments and margins. By integrating prescriptive maritime rules with tailored risk assessments, LR gives you a progressive certification pathway, balancing best practices with continuous technological advancement.
• Technical Excellence and the ‘Halo-Effect’: Combining deep maritime knowledge with innovative engineering approaches, LR offers advanced software validation to complex system-of-systems analysis.
• Market Leadership and Global Tonnage Growth: Adopt next-generation solutions safely and effectively by navigating regulations and international standards.

Assurance frameworks can be expensive for individual entities. As the industry expands into smaller-scale operations, such as small boats, platform systems, smart autopilot solutions, and remote monitoring, robust assurance is critical. LR Advisory Services address the following key challenges, to build trust and pave the way for widespread commercialisation and sustained growth:

• Component Assurance: Integrating advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and new sensor types (e.g., radar, LIDAR, computer vision) requires assurance processes that extend beyond traditional software approaches, particularly in addressing cybersecurity risks.
• Class System Adaptation: Traditional classification systems depend on the presence of a competent crew. The move toward reduced or remote crewing requires a systems-of-systems approach to ensure complex control, enhanced resilience, and reliable connectivity.
• Statutory Systems and Safe Navigation: Safe navigation in autonomous ships, traditionally managed by flag states through STCW training and SOLAS certifications, demands new benchmarks and delegated expertise from Class Societies to account for remote operations.
• International Standards Evolution: The development of international benchmarks and standards reflecting the shift from human-centric standards like COLREGs to frameworks that embrace autonomous operations and facilitate seamless interactions between autonomous and crewed vessels but also redefine safe navigation metrics.
• Remote Operations: The development of Remote Operating Centres (ROCs) and Safety Management Systems to address physical interfaces, infrastructure needs, and comprehensive safety protocols.
• Small Boats Certification and Advisory Support: Certification of small boats and naval systems with autonomous technology operating outside the scope of Classification or Statutory Conventions.

We have consistently pioneered advancements in autonomous and remotely operated shipping, earning a market-leading position through a series of firsts and strategic partnerships:

• First to Market with Remote Control and Digital Ship Procedures: LR served as the assurance partner for the industry’s inaugural remote control ship trials and introduced some of the earliest Digital Ships procedures.
• Certification Standard for <24m Unmanned Marine Systems: By developing the first certification standard for smaller unmanned vessels, LR set robust safety and operational benchmarks across all vessel sizes.
• Higher Learning Institute Engagements: Reducing the regulatory burden on providers and operators at an international level, LR tackles the challenges of autonomy assurance, underpinned by work commissioned by the LRF at the Institute for Safe Autonomy, Alan Turing Institute, and others.
• Driving Autonomy Through the Maritime Assuring Autonomy Testbed (MAAT): LR bridges the gap between research, testing, and practical deployment of autonomous technologies as initiator of the MAAT concept and a senior partner in a UK-led consortium.
• Point of Reference for Leading Global Clients: Key maritime players such as Maersk, MOL, NYK, SHI, HHI, KASS-KRISO, and DFFAS+ all look to LR for guidance on realising their autonomous shipping ambitions.
• Trusted Advisor on the Global Stage: LR’s experts are regular contributors to high-profile events and organisations, including IMO, ISO, LISW, and Singapore Maritime Week.