Liverpool witness to autonomous operation

The display saw the C-Cat 3, an autonomous vehicle which can be used for shallow survey operations, undertake seabed survey using a Norbit iWBMS multibeam echo sounder.

The demonstration was the result of a partnership between Peel Ports Group, the UK port operator that operates the Port of Liverpool, and ASV Global (ASV), a company which supplies unmanned and autonomous marine systems and has developed the C-Cat 3.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two businesses in March, and according to Peel Ports Group, the alliance will encourage shared learning and address the challenges connected to using autonomous vessels in UK ports, as well as examining possibilities for joint development ventures.

Peel Ports Group said that the successful demonstration has led it to look at the potential of using the technology at its other UK locations and that it would “facilitate access” to its UK ports for additional test programmes.

Vince Dobbin, ASV’s sales and marketing director, said there was huge potential for his company’s technology to be applied within ports in the UK.

“Autonomous vessels have been gaining ground globally over recent years,” he noted.

“We have proven the application of Autonomous Surface Vehicles in a number of offshore environments and are excited to explore new areas of application.”

“Bringing the best in class expertise together, we will facilitate an increased understanding of the benefits of autonomous vessels within port operations,” said Gary Doyle, Peel Ports Group’s group harbour master.

“The industry is already pushing for their commercial use and autonomous vessels are already widely accepted by our customers, especially those in the energy sector.”