One Sea and the European Space Agency (ESA) have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at promoting the development of space-enabled services to support the maritime sector's shift towards autonomous shipping.
Autonomous shipping presents new opportunities to implement safe, commercially feasible, and environmentally sustainable maritime operations.
The adoption of autonomous shipping technologies and operations is heavily reliant on satellite communications and satellite navigation. During offshore passages, ships are often far from land, making satellites crucial for secure and resilient communication channels for the monitoring, command, and control of autonomous ships.
Furthermore, high-precision Position Navigation and Timing (PNT) provided by satellites is critical for the safe operation of autonomous shipping in congested areas such as ports.
This new partnership will combine One Sea’s unique expertise in the maritime sector and in autonomous shipping with ESA’s technical competence and mandate through the Business Applications and Space Solutions programme to support the development and demonstration of space solutions in addressing user needs.
Sinikka Hartonen, Secretary General of One Sea Association, said: ‘We are thrilled about the possibility to collaborate with ESA. We are looking forward to finding ways to jointly support the development of safe and sustainable maritime transport.”
Rita Rinaldo, Head of Business Applications Projects and Studies Implementation Division, said: “ESA is keen to kick-off the work with One Sea Association and its members to strengthen the development and adoption of space solutions as enablers of digital and autonomous shipping, accelerating the sustainable transformation of the maritime sector.”