The future of ship control - where humans and technology meet

Human machine teaming in ship control is the theme for this year’s forthcoming International Ship Control Systems Symposium (iSCSS), organised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST).  

“With the complexity of operations at sea continuing to increase, society demands maritime operations to be intelligent, sustainable, and safe, both for naval and commercial operations. To achieve this, we need to grasp the opportunity technologies like autonomous systems and artificial intelligence provide, while ensuring we involve the human when needed, in design and operation of control systems. The conference is an exciting event where decision makers, industry and researchers come together to solve these societal challenges with ship control.” Cdr (E) dr. ir. Rinze Geertsma CEng FIMarEST, Chair of iSCSS.

With speakers from across the globe, the programme will focus on some of the challenges in achieving human and technology harmony, including a look at the ‘Future of Maritime Autonomy: Cybersecurity Trust and Mariner’s Situational Awareness’, presented by Juan Dorje Palbar Misas, ‘Educating the Officer 4.0 in the digitalization era’, by Alex Stefani, one of IMarEST’s leading authors, and the ‘Route To Autonomous Control – Retaining The Crew In-The-Loop’, by Danielle Berenbaum. Delegates will also hear research contributions from multiple world-leading Universities on autonomous vessels in the Collaborative Autonomous Shipping Experience (CASE).

The conference takes place between 8-10 November at AULA Conference Centre, TU Delft, Netherlands. It will also feature the renowned International Naval Engineering Conference and Exhibition (INEC) which will look at how the shipping and naval sectors can keep up with technological advancement and what they must do to manage the ongoing climate crisis and its effects on our oceans. 

“As a human species we need to adapt to stall climate change, across the generations we need to up-skill to make use of the digital revolution and Industry 4.0, and as navies we need to reinvent ourselves to remain competitive in the battlespace. Can navies that build ships and submarines for 30+ year lifespans stay relevant when system designs improve much more quickly? The conference will lay down the challenge to ship and submarine designers, builders, and support teams to adapt to integrate emerging technologies such as autonomous systems and artificial intelligence. Not only do we need to adapt, but we also need to build resilience through assured availability with new approaches to maintenance and repair.” Cdre Stuart Henderson RN, Chair of INEC.

Responding to this challenge, delegates will hear from international experts in the field on topics as varied as underwater noise, cyber security, naval decarbonisation, human-machine teaming, submarines and intelligent platform management, among other topics. Plenary sessions and keynote speakers will include:

• Future Naval Battlespace and Implications for Key Enablers, Robert Skarda, Steller Systems Ltd
• Expanding The Advantage: United States Navy Surface Ship Arctic Operability, Glen Sturtevant, PEO Ships - NAVSEA 21
• A Moment of Maritime Opportunity? The Operational Energy Challenge, Jeffrey Voth, Herren Associates, Inc.

See the full conference programme and register now.