DNV y Fassmer they will collaborate on the development and classification of autonomous vessels and remotely operated systems intended for naval and government clients, both companies formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the SMM maritime fair held in Hamburg.
As part of the agreement, classification society DNV and German shipbuilder Fr. Fassmer GmbH & Co. KG will work on applying the class notations for Autonomous and Remotely Operated Vessels (AROS) within the unmanned maritime systems programs developed by Fassmer.
The cooperation will also allow for the analysis of operational concepts for autonomous vessels and the evaluation of technologies designed to perform specific functions without direct crew intervention, furthermore, the companies will prepare roadmaps for future certification processes.
DNV and Fassmer are moving towards AROS certification
One of the technical objectives of the agreement will be to study a possible Approval in Principle (AiP) under DNV’s AROS framework, to this end, both companies will analyze the requirements that autonomous vessel functions must meet in areas such as navigation, engineering, safety, and operation, the work will also combine Fassmer’s experience in the development and operation of specialized vessels with DNV’s expertise in classification and technical evaluation. This approach is particularly important in naval and government programs, where autonomous systems are gaining ground in maritime and defense operations, as their use increases, so does the need to establish technical criteria that demonstrate safety levels comparable to those of conventional vessels.
How does the AROS framework for autonomous ships work?
DNV’s AROS notations have been available since January 2025 and establish functional requirements for navigation, engineering, safety, and operations. The framework encompasses various levels of automation, ranging from remotely controlled vessels and decision support systems to supervised autonomy and full autonomy.
Furthermore, the system allows for different control configurations, a vessel can be managed from its own facilities, from a land-based center, or through a combination of both methods. With this setup, DNV it seeks to have a technical structure that allows demonstrating that autonomous vessels can achieve safety levels equivalent to those required for conventional ships.
Autonomous ships gain ground in naval operations
Furthermore, the collaboration between DNV and Fassmer goes beyond the specific projects of the German shipyard, both companies seek to contribute the results obtained to the development of international standards and future regulatory frameworks related to autonomous navigation.
Rasmus Stute, Vice President and Area Manager Germany of DNV, noted that the development and use of autonomous systems has become one of the increasingly relevant elements within naval and defense operations in recent years.
In this context, autonomous maritime technologies pose different demands than those of a traditional vessel. Navigation, control, engineering, and safety systems must be evaluated considering both automatically executed decisions and the potential intervention of a remote operator.
Fassmer, for its part believes that these technologies can improve the safety, efficiency, and operational capacity of its specialized vessels. The company is already working with autonomous systems and with the requirements established by the AROS notation.
Finally, the agreement will allow both companies to exchange technical and operational expertise as they work together to define requirements for future autonomous naval vessels. The results could also contribute to the development of maritime autonomy standards in Germany and the rest of Europe.
Source: Ocean News
Photo: Shutterstock
