Ship Automation Technologies

Bring on the robots! The Navy’s $8B Pearl Harbor modernization is moving fast. At the center of the effort is the $3.2B Dry Dock 5 at Pearl Harbor, replacing legacy Dry Dock 3, which dates back to 1942. Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & IMF is the primary repair hub for our nuclear-powered Virginia-class fast-attack submarines. In today’s Pacific environment, we cannot maintain a modern fleet with WWII-era infrastructure and manual workflows. We need speed, and speed increasingly comes from automation. This investment should also help address an aging workforce while reducing maintenance/repair time and cost. The Navy is beginning to layer in Physical AI across ship maintenance: ● Autonomous Inspection: Gecko Robotics uses wall-climbing crawlers to collect millions of data points on hull integrity, while its Cantilever AI software helps identify degradation and predict failures earlier. ● Autonomous surface prep: GrayMatter Robotics is deploying AI-powered FANUC America Corporation robots to sand, blast, and coat large ship components, targeting major reductions in rework across the maritime industrial base. ● Autonomous welding: Through the HII–Path Robotics partnership, AI welding systems using Yaskawa Motoman robots are being developed to adapt to variable ship repairs in real time, reducing the need for extensive pre-programming. ● Metal additive manufacturing: Partners including 3D Systems Corporation and HII are producing high-consequence parts such as Copper-Nickel (CuNi30) valve manifolds, helping cut lead times for critical components from roughly 30 weeks to 8. ● Afloat manufacturing: The Navy is installing 3D printers aboard ships and submarines so crews can produce tools, seals, and pipe-repair components while deployed, reducing dependence on long supply lines. This is part of the Navy's $21B program to modernize four of its aging public shipyards (Hawaii, Washington, Virginia, and Maine). See Jake Hall’s post today on manufacturing in Hawaii. #Manufacturing #Robotics #Automation #Navy #PearlHarbor

No Lines, No Crew on the Quay: China’s First Vacuum Auto-Mooring Goes Live On January 1, 2026, Qingdao Port (Shandong Port Group) marked the first day of the new year with a major milestone in terminal innovation: China’s first vacuum-based automatic mooring system officially entered operation at the Qingdao Automated Container Terminal. In a live operation, the 366-meter container vessel MSC Saudi Arabia approached the berth with no crews handling mooring lines on the quay. Instead, the system automatically identified and positioned the vessel, then secured it using high-vacuum suction units—completing mooring in under 30 seconds. For comparison, conventional mooring typically takes 20–30 minutes per call. Key capabilities include: 13 mooring units installed along the quay line Up to 2,600 kN total holding force when operating simultaneously Designed to meet automatic mooring requirements for container ships over 200 meters, including the largest vessels in operation A “remote control center + mobile terminal + local unit” three-layer control architecture Multi-sensor fusion and intelligent decision-making algorithms, integrating hydraulic drive, high-vacuum suction, real-time motion tracking, and monitoring of wind/wave/current conditions for active station-keeping control Beyond speed, the bigger impact is safety and productivity. By removing personnel from the mooring line danger zone and reshaping the mooring/unmooring process, the system supports safer operations. Qingdao Port estimates the solution can save more than 200 hours of berthing time annually—equivalent to enabling 10+ additional vessel calls per berth each year—while also contributing to greener, more efficient logistics. This is another strong example of how automation is expanding from equipment and control systems into core berth-side processes—and how smart ports are moving toward end-to-end, high-reliability operations. 山东港口 #Ports #Maritime #Shipping #ContainerTerminals #Automation #SmartPorts #Innovation #QingdaoPort #Logistics #SupplyChain

𝟭𝟬𝟬+ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗭𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. 𝗭𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲… 🚚 When we see footage of fully autonomous ports operating with this level of precision, it is easy to assume this is a distant concept or isolated to a few specific regions globally. However, the reality is that this technology is operational right now at the Port of Long Beach, California. This facility serves as a powerful case study for where the entire maritime industry is heading. The Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) demonstrates that high-volume logistics and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive. Here is how this system is setting a new standard for Port operations worldwide: 🤖 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: The terminal utilises a fleet of battery-powered Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). Moving without human drivers, these units rely on AI, LiDAR, and computer vision to navigate between quayside cranes and rail transfer points with near-perfect accuracy. 🌱 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻: This is a model for Sustainability. By utilising all-electric equipment and shore power for docked ships, the terminal has drastically reduced emissions. It proves that heavy industry can transition to zero-emission operations without sacrificing output. ⚡ 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘀: Sustainability does not mean slowing down. These AGVs carry payloads of up to 70 tonnes and travel at speeds of 13 mph. The automation allows for higher container density per acre, maximising land use in a way traditional terminals cannot. 🖥️ 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲-𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀: The "brain" of the operation is a sophisticated control system that optimises traffic flow and energy consumption in real-time, managed by a small, specialised team. This is more than just a local upgrade; it is a blueprint for the next generation of global Freight transport.

Naval warfare just entered a new era with the unveiling of the AIRCAT Bengal MC, a 44-ton payload autonomous vessel that fundamentally challenges how we think about maritime defence. Developed by Eureka Naval Craft with Greenroom Robotics, this Surface Effect Ship combines autonomous operation with the ability to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles and Naval Strike Missiles at speeds exceeding 50 knots. What makes this particularly significant is the strategic flexibility it offers—missions that previously required large, expensive warships can now be executed by vessels that operate both crewed and autonomously, dramatically reducing operational costs whilst maintaining lethality. The modular design philosophy behind the Bengal MC represents a shift in naval procurement strategy that defence ministries worldwide should note. Rather than investing in single-purpose vessels, this platform can be rapidly reconfigured for troop transport, electronic warfare, mine operations, or strike missions. With a 1,000 nautical mile range and advanced autonomy validated through extensive trials, it offers smaller naval forces—particularly in the Indo-Pacific—the ability to project power previously reserved for major naval powers. The interest from AUKUS, NATO, and nations like Singapore, Japan, and South Korea signals a broader recognition that autonomous systems aren't just supplementary—they're becoming central to maritime strategy. This development raises critical questions about the future of naval warfare and defence procurement. As autonomous vessels become more capable and cost-effective, how will traditional naval hierarchies adapt? The Bengal MC demonstrates that innovation in defence technology isn't just about bigger platforms or more firepower—it's about intelligent systems that multiply force effectiveness whilst reducing human risk. For nations balancing defence capabilities with fiscal constraints, this could represent the most significant shift in naval strategy since the advent of carrier battle groups. #DefenceTechnology #NavalInnovation #AutonomousSystems #MaritimeSecurity

Today's walk-to-work (W2W) gangways are engineering feats! Ships used to rely on something much simpler: rigid wooden planks or fixed metal structures. They offered no flexibility and certainly no ability to adapt to the fickle rhythms of the sea. Tides rose, hulls shifted, winds howled... accidents were common and death a possibility. Today's W2W are not just gangways, but technological symphonies: part bridge, part robot, part safety net, as they are automated and integrated into the ship's DP system. They replace costly helicopter drops, reduce costs and save lives. 1. Built to withstand harsh marine conditions Rain, salt, cold, corrosion—life at sea is unforgiving. That's why gangways are forged from marine-grade aluminium, stainless steel and composite coatings. They are year-round warriors. 2. When the sea moves, the gangway moves smarter Active motion compensation—hydraulic—keeps the gangway stable, even as waves crash and ships pitch. It's like standing still on a trampoline while the frame below you swings. 3. A gangway that thinks for itself Advanced W2W systems don't just react—they anticipate. These gangways are no longer blind to wind speed, sea state, user traffic and structural loads. They automatically level, dock and extend without human intervention. 4. Stability at every step—even at an angle Because walking on inclined gangways can be difficult, the systems are designed to maintain a walkable slope, even when ships are pitching or rolling. With motion compensation and non-slip surfaces, there are no jolts, just solid footing all the way. 5. Rotate and extend—wherever needed Where old gangways gave you one shot at docking, W2W systems give you almost 360 degrees. Telescopic arms extend and rotate, allowing vessels to dock from multiple angles, even in choppy seas. 6. Smooth transfers, even when vessels aren't sitting still Because modern DP vessels use thrusters and GPS to maintain their position, gangways designed for this dance are flexibly mounted and designed to flex in harmony. It's a system designed for mobility, not rigidity. 7. Too many workers? The system knows Sensors embedded in many gangways can count people and detect overloading. If limits are exceeded, alarms sound or movement is blocked. 8. Designed for impact—literally Even the best-positioned vessels can drift. W2W gangways incorporate shock absorbers and retractable features that act like hydraulic dampers to absorb impact and retract in an emergency. This is not a crowded market but a specialised niche with formidable players such as (in alphabetical order) Ampelmann Operations, KenzFigee, Kongsberg Maritime, Osbit, MacGregor, Marine Aluminium AS, Red Rock AS, Safeway Gangway, Seaonics AS, SMST Designers & Constructors, Tyne Gangway (Structures) Limited, and UPTIME INTERNATIONAL AS. I've to admit that I haven't yet walked on an offshore W2W. I close my eyes, recall their technical features and imagine that short, steady walk. #maritime

Lt. Colonel J. L. Schley, in his 1929 book "The Military Engineer," highlighted a common pitfall in military strategy: a focus on preparing for past conflicts instead of future ones. Drawing a parallel, the US shipbuilding industry faces a similar challenge in envisioning its evolution. Attempting to compete with China and other shipbuilding nations by simply subsidizing the cost gap for currently conventional ships is unlikely to succeed. Instead, the industry should focus on “leapfrogging” traditional approaches to ship design, construction, and functionality. Notably, opportunities such as deploying compact nuclear reactors to replace slow-speed marine diesel engines and advancing autonomous vessel technology stand out as transformative possibilities. TerraPower and Core Power are collaborating on the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE), the world’s first fast-spectrum salt reactor. The MCRE is expected to reach criticality by late 2025 at the Idaho National Laboratory and will inform the design and licensing of future commercial reactors. Core Power’s vision includes applying advanced nuclear technology to maritime uses, which could significantly reduce carbon emissions and provide a competitive edge for domestically built ships. While these advancements are still several years away, the ongoing work deserves greater attention from those seeking to deploy capital into ship construction facilities. Similarly, recent rapid progress in aerial drone technology suggests a promising pathway for autonomous marine vessels. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is well advanced in developing a regulatory framework for Marine Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), with a target of May 2026 for finalizing and adopting a non-mandatory MASS code. The adoption of a mandatory code is targeted for mid-2030, with entry into force by January 1, 2032. Collaboration amongst regulators, legislators, labor and vessel operators in taking an active role in making the US a leader in advancing the design and operational framework for the construction and use of these future vessels should be a key objective.  Conventional commercial vessel designs have changed little over the past 40 years. Wouldn’t it be great if the application of US technological prowess could be marshalled to lead to something other than a new social media application?  #USshipbuilding #nuclearships #autonomous

The Real Bottleneck in Maritime AI Isn’t the Tech | “The industry is moving from digitization as an enabler… to intelligence as the operating model.” - Harry Bangae, The Caravel Group This isn’t hype. It’s a roadmap. Banga’s recent interview in Maritime CEO offers a rare window into how one of the world’s most influential shipping executives sees the future - not 10 years out, but in the next 12 months. ⸻ The core shift? Intelligence is no longer an edge - it’s becoming the operating system. Below are 6 powerful directions that forward-leaning leaders should be watching - and why they matter now: 1. AI as the New Operating System Fleet Management Limited is using AI for everything from maintenance forecasting to crew performance to fuel optimization - all connected in real time. → Who else is embedding AI this deeply? Who knows? But it appears V.Group, Anglo-Eastern and others are doing similar, if we can believe the press releases are indicative of actual integration. 2. Predictive Safety with AI Vision Caravel invested in a startup using computer vision to detect safety violations and fatigue risks in real time via CCTV. → The safety metric of the future? Predictive safety could become the next ESG battleground - one that regulators and charterers start paying serious attention to. 3. Digital Twins for Decarbonization Forget buzzwords. Caravel is apparently using real twins to simulate propulsion upgrades before committing capital (an idea I’m a really big fan of!) evaluating lifecycle emissions and ROI across the fleet. → The real question: Are you really simulating your green transition or simply guessing at it? 4. The AI Readiness Gap “The real bottleneck,” says Banga, “is not the algorithm - it’s organizational readiness and data interoperability.” → Translation: If your crew, ops team, and finance folks aren’t trained to work with intelligent systems, your AI budget is sadly just tech theater. 5. Backoffice AI: The Quiet Revolution AI agents at Caravel now handle invoicing, voyage record-keeping, support tickets. → Quiet question with loud implications: Who’s building the next-gen ERP stack for shipping - and how fast will it (A) eat up traditional roles or (B) displace SAP? 6. The Founder’s Fingerprint Banga isn’t just authorizing budgets - he’s backing startups, directing deployments, and reshaping ops. → The takeaway: The pace of change isn’t set by tech maturity so much as it is by executive courage. ⸻ Final Thought: The winners in maritime AI won’t be the first to adopt tools. They’ll be the first to restructure their organizations to work at the speed of intelligence. ⸻ 🔗 Curious minds: Read the full interview on Splash Maritime and Offshore News (splash247.com) https://lnkd.in/gPa5G4K8 💬 What are you seeing in the AI readiness of shipping firms? ⸻🤖+🚢⸻

Autonomous Warship Startup Accelerates Naval Innovation to Counter Industrial Gaps A new generation of defense startups is reshaping naval warfare by prioritizing speed, autonomy, and scalable production. As traditional shipbuilding timelines stretch to nearly a decade for guided-missile destroyers, companies like Saronic are introducing radically faster approaches to building and deploying maritime capability. Saronic’s model centers on autonomous vessels ranging from small reconnaissance platforms to larger multi-mission ships. Its flagship systems, including the Corsair drone boat and the larger Marauder platform, are designed to operate alongside traditional naval assets, extending their reach and enhancing defensive and offensive capabilities. These vessels can carry significant payloads and operate over long distances, offering flexibility in contested environments. The company’s approach diverges sharply from legacy defense procurement. By vertically integrating production and developing software before securing contracts, Saronic compresses development timelines and reduces dependency on traditional acquisition cycles. Its Louisiana shipyard produced a full-scale vessel in approximately nine months, a pace rarely seen in modern U.S. shipbuilding. This acceleration comes at a time when global competition is intensifying, particularly with China’s dominance in shipbuilding capacity. Autonomous systems offer a way to offset industrial disadvantages by enabling rapid, lower-cost production of capable platforms that can be deployed in large numbers. The implications are strategic. Naval power is no longer defined solely by large, expensive ships, but increasingly by networks of agile, autonomous systems that can be produced and fielded quickly. This shift could redefine maritime doctrine, emphasizing distributed operations and industrial resilience as key elements of future conflict readiness. I share daily insights with tens of thousands followers across defense, tech, and policy. If this topic resonates, I invite you to connect and continue the conversation. https://lnkd.in/gHPvUttw Keith King

Is your vessel data scattered across multiple platforms, leading to inconsistent reporting and inefficiencies? Managing emissions, vessel performance, fuel optimisation, emissions and compliance should not be this complex. Imagine if one single vessel reporting system with good data quality could streamline everything—no data silos, no redundant reporting, just real time insights. ➡️One System, Infinite Insights - With a unified reporting platform, you get: ✅ A Single Source of Truth – All performance and compliance data fields in one place. ✅ Automated Optimisation – AI driven analytics adjust speed, routes, and fuel consumption. ✅ Seamless Integration – Standardised data flows into all your downstream requirements such as Claims, Route Optimisation and tc. effortlessly. ✅ Reduced Operational Workload – Ship’s crew spends less time on manual reporting. ✅ Regulatory Compliance – Automatically generate reports for CII, EU ETS, and ESG reporting. This is the future of maritime efficiency, which requires change🤔 #shipsandshipping #energyefficiency #maritimeindustry #performancemanagement

⚓ The Maritime Autonomy Ecosystem is Expanding 💥 After a lot of engagement on my previous post, I am releasing a more complete, yet likely still incomplete, landscape of the players driving this industry forward. 🛡️ The core of this evolution remains the same: Trustworthy AI. 👉 “Trustworthy AI must be embedded into the foundation of autonomous systems, and we exemplifies how that principle is part of the very DNA of our BMT SEAS testbed, ensuring systems are not only compliant but also capable of making informed, seamanlike decisions in dynamic maritime environments.” Will Alexander, BMT. 👉 As Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) and USVs transition from pure R&D efforts into integrated maritime and military tools, the number of participating companies and organizations has grown considerably. Timothy Haymaker, Leidos. 🚢 Uncrewed Vessel OEMs Saronic Technologies, @XOCEAN, @Ocean Aero Inc., @Saildrone, @Blue Water Autonomy, @Ocean Infinity @MARTAC, @L3 Harris, @Exail, @Thales, FLANQ, Metal Shark Boats, Maritime Robotics AS, BlackSea Technologies, ST Engineering, Ocean Power Technologies (OPT), Frost Unmanned, SeaTrac Systems, Inc., HII Unmanned Systems, Sagar Defence Engineering, MAHI, Oshen. 🤖 Autonomy & Vessel Control Systems @Wärtsilä, Sea Machines Robotics, @Avikus, Anduril Industries, @Nauticus Robotics, Kongsberg, @Ghost Robotics, @ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK, ACUA Ocean, @ABB, @NAVTOR. Robosys Automation, Dynautics, Anschuetz Singapore, Roboat, Greenroom Robotics, Magnet Defense, CEA-List, Demcon. 🌊 ROVs / Underwater Drones @Boxfish Robotics, @blueye, @SeaTrac, @Tethy Robotics, Cellula Robotics, @Exail, @ECA Group, @Kraken Robotics. BeeX, RTsys Group, Oceaneering, @Cardona Marine Group, Hydrotwin. 📡 Data & Ocean Intelligence @Fugro, @Terradepth, @Teledyne Technologies, @Darkocean, @Leidos. north.io GmbH, Sofar Ocean, Forcys, Bedrock Ocean Exploration, BlueShadow ApS, Mythos AI, Open Ocean Robotics, @AIDGE, Online Oceans, blueOASIS / Navictus, HavocAI. The future of the ocean is autonomous, integrated, and seamanlike by design. ⚓ Apologies for missing a tags, I’m officially pushing LinkedIn’s tagging limits to the edge!🚀 #MaritimeAutonomy #TrustworthyAI #UncrewedSystems #OceanTech #Innovation #BlueEconomy