GSAB is targeting an innovative solution to assist the navigation in port waters
and the berthing manoeuvres for large cargo vessels with an overall length of 200m, allowing automatic execution and a high level of autonomy. Thanks to GSAB, the Master and the technical staff will have a complete view of the ship and its context, including a forecast of the manoeuvres to be performed to safely complete the operation. In order to provide this assistance, the system will consider the position and planned trajectories of the surrounding ships.
The user interface on the vessel will include innovative elements as the use of Augmented Reality using AR googles. The system onboard is communicating all time with the port control centre.
This level of automation and autonomy will remove several causes of accidents due to human errors, and therefore, safety will be increased. Furthermore, the efficiency of the process will be increased, as the manoeuvres will be executed faster. The cost of the operations is also expected to be reduced, thanks to a better coordination between the involved assets. The maintenance costs will also be reduced, thanks to reduction of collisions.
Last, but not least, the environmental impact of the previous benefits is significant, as facilitating port operations will result in shorter waiting times for entering ports and therefore, lower CO2 emissions and less pollution near ports.
