Cargotec unit MacGregor has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rolls-Royce to jointly conduct research into the impact of developments in autonomy for cargo ship navigation and cargo systems on container ships.

The results of the proposed research are expected to help both MacGregor and Rolls-Royce to develop autonomous container ships in future.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Rolls-Royce digital and systems director Asbjørn Skaro said: "Rolls-Royce is pioneering remotely controlled and autonomous ships and believes such a remote-controlled ship will be in commercial use by the end of the decade, and a common sight on the high seas by 2030.

“For the full benefits of such a change to be realised many activities currently done today manually will need to be done autonomously.

“This research will help us explore how that might be achieved.”

See Also:

MacGregor aims to contribute its knowledge in marine cargo-handling activities and related technology and systems to the proposed research.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
"Rolls-Royce believes a remote-controlled ship will be in commercial use by the end of the decade, and a common sight on the high seas by 2030."

MacGregor strategy, business development and marketing senior vice-president Pasi Lehtonen said: “MacGregor wants to reshape and transform the industry to make it much more efficient, safer and more sustainable.

“In the segments where we operate, we see a lot of unnecessary waste in the forms of inefficiency, damage to cargo, and continuously dangerous working conditions.

“Our aim is to minimise this waste from the value network, and this collaboration on autonomy for container ships is a good example of where industry leaders work together to transform the industry.”

The company also noted that the exponential increase in data would offer various opportunities for the cargo handling industries with access to real-time information.

Connectivity is also expected to enable remote diagnostics and control and gradually autonomous vessel operations.