Remotely Controlled Vessel Navigation: Overcoming Workforce Scarcity on the High Seas - Method to Address Workforce Deficiency: Remotely Operating Ships
Inland Shipping Heads toward Remote Control Amid Labor Shortage
In a groundbreaking six-month trial, a German shipping company is set to sail a vessel remotely on the Elbe-Seitenkanal, a movement that could pave the way for addressing the labor shortage in the industry. The ship, named "Niedersachsen 2", is being operated by HGK Shipping, a Cologne-based company, granted approval for the first time for this remote-controlled operation.
The adoption of remote control technology is seen as a promising solution to the industry's ongoing labor crisis. Rather than spending extended periods on the road, ship pilots in the remote control centers would maintain regular schedules, ensuring a better work-life balance. This development could potentially make the profession more appealing to potential hires [1][2].
"This innovation serves as a powerful means to boost the attractiveness of the profession during recruitment processes," said Steffen Bauer, CEO of HGK Shipping.
Other companies, including Rhenus, are also considering similar approaches. By 2030, Rhenus aims to establish its own remote control bridge for their fleet, with more ships expected to be equipped with the necessary technology [2].
"We believe that we can create additional appealing job opportunities for our ship pilots with this innovation," commented Herbert Berger, Managing Director of Rhenus Ship Management.
The German government is keen on the success of this project, recognizing the potential of the inland waterway as a training carrier in the country. To prevent the labor shortage from curtailing this potential, Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) emphasized the importance of deploying these technologies [3].
This initiative is part of a broader drive towards enhancing digitalization in the shipping industry, with partnerships forged with technology providers such as SEAFAR to bring about fleet modernization and optimize operations [2][3]. The path forward eventually leads to fully autonomous ships, utilizing AI, sensors, and remote monitoring systems to make real-time decisions without human intervention [4].
However, the implementation of remote-controlled and autonomous ships requires careful consideration of legal and safety requirements. The approval for the trial operation by the German authorities marks a significant step towards formulating a regulatory framework for these innovations [2][3].
The timeline for the transition towards autonomous shipping includes the finalization of the non-mandatory MASS (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships) Code in 2025, followed by the development of a framework for an experience-building phase in 2026. The mandatory MASS Code is expected to be adopted in 2030 and will come into effect on January 1, 2032 [3].
The German government, recognizing the potential of vocational training in combating the labor shortage, is closely following the progress of remote control technology in the shipping industry. To capitalize on this, they aim to utilize inland waterways as a training carrier, emphasizing the importance of deploying these technologies within community policy.
The development of technology in this field, such as AI, sensors, and remote monitoring systems, is not only aimed at the implementation of autonomous ships but also at enhancing vocational training programs, ultimately making ship piloting a more appealing profession.
