Maintenance of Autonomous Vessels ( advantages and disadvantages) in comparison with Conventional Ships
Shaveko, Oleg (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025060420240
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025060420240
Tiivistelmä
This thesis explores the comparative maintenance approaches of autonomous vessels versus conventional ships, emphasising both advantages and disadvantages through a practical, experience-based lens. Drawing on the author’s long-term professional background as a chief engineer and extensive informal interviews with industry experts, the research offers grounded insights that go beyond theoretical speculation.
The study identifies key shifts in maintenance strategy necessitated by maritime autonomy, including the adoption of AI-driven diagnostics, predictive analytics, smart contracts and remote supervision in the absence of onboard crews. It evaluates the technological infrastructure required for autonomous vessel maintenance, such as sensor networks, modular system design, digital twins and cybersecurity safeguards also.
A comparative analysis reveals that while autonomous ships promise lower long-term crew-related costs and operational efficiencies, ones introduce new and substantial risks, especially in areas like emergency repair response, system complexity and software failure consequences. Cost implications differ markedly depending on vessel type : autonomous coastal vessels shows more favourable maintenance economics than large ocean-going ones, which face higher risks of catastrophic failure and increased lifecycle costs due to rapid obsolescence and integration complexity.
The thesis highlights the critical role of human experience in diagnostics, repair improvisation and data generation, areas where current autonomous systems remains limited. It further addresses the dangers of losing vessel maintenance history during changes of ownership or management, proposing the development of a “Vessel Digital Passport” and Smart Maintenance Ecosystems as sustainable solutions.
Ultimately, the thesis concludes that the transition to autonomous vessel maintenance requires not technological readiness only, but new standards, economic models and active involvement of shipowners, classification societies and regulatory bodies also. Without strategic planning and knowledge transfer from experienced maritime personnel, the autonomous maintenance paradigm risks undermining vessel safety, reliability and economic viability.
The study identifies key shifts in maintenance strategy necessitated by maritime autonomy, including the adoption of AI-driven diagnostics, predictive analytics, smart contracts and remote supervision in the absence of onboard crews. It evaluates the technological infrastructure required for autonomous vessel maintenance, such as sensor networks, modular system design, digital twins and cybersecurity safeguards also.
A comparative analysis reveals that while autonomous ships promise lower long-term crew-related costs and operational efficiencies, ones introduce new and substantial risks, especially in areas like emergency repair response, system complexity and software failure consequences. Cost implications differ markedly depending on vessel type : autonomous coastal vessels shows more favourable maintenance economics than large ocean-going ones, which face higher risks of catastrophic failure and increased lifecycle costs due to rapid obsolescence and integration complexity.
The thesis highlights the critical role of human experience in diagnostics, repair improvisation and data generation, areas where current autonomous systems remains limited. It further addresses the dangers of losing vessel maintenance history during changes of ownership or management, proposing the development of a “Vessel Digital Passport” and Smart Maintenance Ecosystems as sustainable solutions.
Ultimately, the thesis concludes that the transition to autonomous vessel maintenance requires not technological readiness only, but new standards, economic models and active involvement of shipowners, classification societies and regulatory bodies also. Without strategic planning and knowledge transfer from experienced maritime personnel, the autonomous maintenance paradigm risks undermining vessel safety, reliability and economic viability.