BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. Autonomous ships aren't expected to move freely in the territorial waters of Azerbaijan, Head of the Department for Transport Regulation of the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, Vasif Amiraslanov, told Trend in an interview.
In the interview, he answered questions about the impact of the application of autonomous ships on operations in the field of maritime transport, ensuring their safe operation, in which areas and routes they will operate, and other issues.
Amiraslanov first spoke about the advantages of the application of autonomous ships for maritime transport and the requirements under which their activities will be carried out.
"As is known, amendments have been made to the Merchant Shipping Code regarding the introduction of autonomous transport systems. According to the innovation, the procedure for regulating the activities of autonomous ships has been determined. A normative legal, technological, and institutional framework has been created in this area.
The introduction of autonomous ships can allow for more efficient, safe, and innovative implementation of operations in the field of maritime transport. These technologies create conditions for reducing errors and risks caused by the human factor, more accurate management of navigation processes, optimization of routes, and reduction of fuel consumption. At the same time, thanks to the application of modern digital solutions, monitoring and management of ship traffic is carried out more effectively.
In addition to promoting the development of innovations in maritime transport, autonomous technologies can also contribute to improving the quality of logistics and cargo transportation. However, the activities of autonomous ships will be organized on the basis of the principles of safety, environmental protection, and state control, and their operation will be carried out only in accordance with the established requirements," he said.
The ministry official also spoke about how to ensure the safe operation of autonomous ships. He emphasized that ensuring the safe operation of an autonomous ship is one of the main priorities.
"For this aim, before commissioning the autonomous ship, its automated control system will be comprehensively evaluated in a special regulatory and testing environment, and technical and functional tests will be carried out. The systems will be tested for reliable operation in various conditions, adequate response to emergencies, and compliance with safety standards. In addition, it is planned to integrate automated control systems of autonomous vehicles with the control center, which will create real-time monitoring and control capabilities. Only systems that fully meet the established safety requirements, technical standards, and regulatory regulations will be allowed to be used," he explained.
Amiraslanov noted that this will be implemented through an automated control system.
"This system will perform ship movement, route selection, environmental monitoring, and other operational functions based on various sensors, communication devices, and software. At the same time, the activities of autonomous ships will not be completely uncontrolled. The participation of an operator who controls the operation of the system and has the appropriate certificate is envisaged. The operator will monitor the activities of the ship and, if necessary, will have the opportunity to intervene or make additional decisions.
The operator's powers, responsibilities, and rules of operation will be determined by relevant regulatory and legal acts. This approach, along with the application of innovative technologies, serves to preserve human control and increase the level of security," he said.
The head of the department emphasized that autonomous ships won't be able to move freely in the territorial waters of Azerbaijan.
"Autonomous vessels are not allowed to move freely in the territorial waters of Azerbaijan. Such vessels will be able to operate only in areas and routes determined by the authorized state body. The main purpose of applying such restrictions is to ensure the safe, controlled, and phased application of new technologies. When selecting the specified routes and zones of operation, shipping safety, the movement of other maritime vehicles, environmental factors, and state interests will be taken into account. Although it's possible to expand the areas of application in the future based on experience and operational results, this process will be carried out only on the basis of appropriate risk assessments and safety requirements," he concluded.
