Norway has concluded a new agreement with the United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands with the aim of improving international cooperation in the operation of autonomous boats. This agreement is intended to simplify the operations of these vessels in the North Sea, ensuring that they comply with the regulatory frameworks and national requirements of each participating country.
Norwegian companies benefit from international maritime agreement
Marianne Sivertsen Næss, Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, noted that this collaboration can open up a new international market for the Norwegian maritime industry, noted for its leadership in the development of autonomous solutions. The Minister added that this cooperation will enable the advancement of efficient and safe solutions in autonomous operation, benefiting Norwegian maritime companies in the near future.
The Norwegian Maritime Authority sees this agreement as a favorable framework for establishing common standards and technical solutions. Alf Tore Sørheim, acting director general of Maritime Transport and Shipping at the Norwegian Maritime Authority, emphasized the importance of the agreement in keeping Norway at the forefront of maritime technology. He also mentioned the advantage of collaborating with other maritime powers such as Great Britain and Belgium in the context of future maritime transport.
In this way, the five countries are committed to sharing knowledge and information on their national activities, adopting a common approach to international MASS operations. This agreement provides for cooperation on the requirements to be met by autonomous vessels operating in the North Sea basin, outside national territorial waters, to establish agreed standards and technical solutions while international regulations are being developed.
Autonomous ship projects expand in the North Sea
So far, projects have focused on vessels within national waters. However, several current projects are evaluating market opportunities in the North Sea basin, driven by growth in the offshore wind energy sector and the development of vessels and operational concepts for inspection and maintenance.
This agreement is based on the existing guidelines of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union. IMO is working on non-binding rules for autonomous cargo ships, which are expected to be ready by 2025.
In this context, Reach Subsea, a Norwegian subsea services provider, welcomed the new agreement with enthusiasm as it prepares to launch its first unmanned vessels. Bjørg Mathisen Døving, vice president of Reach Remote, highlighted the importance of the agreement for the Norwegian maritime industry, coinciding with the launch of two 24-meter unmanned ROV vessels.
Innovative autonomous vessels from Reach Subsea in Norway
The company recently launched its unmanned surface vessels (USVs), Reach Remote 1 and 2, at the Trosvik shipyard in Norway. Under the Norwegian flag, these vessels promise to revolutionize offshore subsea operations by aligning with sustainability initiatives.
Reach Subsea has contracted Masters of Massterly a collaboration between Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen, to remotely maneuver and control the autonomous USV systems. Massterly AS, founded in 2018, already operates several unmanned vessels, promoting safer and more efficient maritime operations and supporting the transition to a more sustainable maritime industry.
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Source: offshore-energy
Photo: reachsubsea
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