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.
