A task-based analysis of the economic viability of low-manned and unmanned cargo ship concepts

Kooij, C.; Kana, A.A.; Hekkenberg, R.G.

doi:10.1016/j.oceaneng.2021.110111

A task-based analysis of the economic viability of low-manned and unmanned cargo ship concepts

Title

A task-based analysis of the economic viability of low-manned and unmanned cargo ship concepts

Author

Kooij, C. (TU Delft Ship Design, Production and Operations)
Kana, A.A. (TU Delft Ship Design, Production and Operations)
Hekkenberg, R.G. (TU Delft Ship Design, Production and Operations)

Date

2021

Abstract

While successful trials for autonomously navigating ships have been conducted, commercially available unmanned cargo ships are currently unavailable. However, there are many solutions available that will allow for low-manned ship concepts long before fully unmanned ships are possible. There are many drivers for low-manned and unmanned shipping, ranging from availability of workforce, to increased safety to economic. This article investigates the economic viability of several low-manned ship concepts as well as the unmanned ship concept for a short sea container vessel. The operating cost of these concepts are compared to those of a conventional vessel. That way, an assessment can be made on the economic viability. The results show that the low-manned concepts investigated in this article are worthwhile for the ship owner, as some savings can be achieved. The economic viability of the unmanned concept is dependent on the chosen type of propulsion.

Subject

Autonomous shipping
Cost-benefit analysis
Low-manned shipping
Unmanned shipping

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:e0728d62-da07-4ea0-8fec-151773a4a7b9

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2021.110111

ISSN

0029-8018

Source

Ocean Engineering, 242

Part of collection

Institutional Repository