"Dronization" of the sea - ships of the future

Abstract

Maritime areas cover 70% of the surface of the Planet, see the transit of 80% of world trade and accommodate submarine cables through which 99% of telecommunications pass. This carpet of the bottom of the oceans contributes to a wave of digitization of land, air and sea spaces, thus challenging human beings. The development of aerial drones and the autono-mous car has largely inspired the industry of the maritime world. The smart shipping rev-olution is underway. Nothing seems able to prevent it as the expected benefits are numer-ous. Reducing the number of sailors on board ships will reduce the number of premises devoted to human presence, thus freeing up space for that of the goods transported, and will give naval architects freedom to design more hydrodynamic shapes adapted to the as-signments. On this aspect, we are witnessing a transition from automation – which has already enabled significant crew reductions – to autonomy, which will amplify the phenom-enon.