This is a wise investment, as the cost of claims surrounding damaged bridges, harbours or pollution caused by large ships running aground near the UK is rising every year. Here’s the word;
Maritime Minister Lord Davies is in Southampton today (22 April 2024) to announce an £8 million funding boost to put the UK at the forefront of cutting-edge maritime technology. From self-driving boats to streamlined port operations, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other innovations will boost the economy and support coastal communities. The Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund will kickstart feasibility studies to develop smart shipping technologies such as AI, robotics, and autonomous vessels. The winning projects will also require match funding – leveraging further investment from the private sector.
Successful ports will be able to use AI to detect safety hazards, optimise port activities and reduce their environmental footprint – making UK waters safer, operations smoother and air cleaner.
Maritime Minister, Lord Davies, said:
Using AI and cutting-edge technology to make boats smarter and transform port operations is part of our plan to decarbonise shipping, enhance safety for our seafarers and help grow the economy.
AI has the potential to revolutionise the sector, create jobs and support the economy.
AI innovations are already transforming how we tackle and diagnose diseases like cancer, improving our public services, and ramping up productivity. It is the defining technology of our generation. We have invested over £3.5 billion in the technology in the last 10 years and are currently more than doubling the ‘Incubator for AI’ team, recruiting the best of British talent to drive AI integration across the public sector.
Today’s funding comes from the wider £206 million UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, announced in March 2022.
Lord Davies is visiting Ocean Infinity, who create innovative robotic technology to transform operations at sea. The company won funding from DfT’s UK SHORE programme to undertake innovative projects in maritime decarbonisation including, most recently, a share of £4.4 million from ZEVI to develop future propulsion systems.
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