With just three weeks to go until Autonomous Ship Expo, the premier event dedicated to the latest developments in autonomous, smart and remotely operated marine vessels, Electric & Hybrid Marine Technology International editor-in-chief Matt Ross selects a few of his speaker highlights from the upcoming Autonomous Ship conference. The conference takes place alongside the exhibition, which will be staged at RAI Amsterdam in the Netherlands on June 24, 25 & 26, 2025. Click here to view the full program; book your conference pass here.
Panel discussion: Charting the way ahead for automation and autonomy
James Fanshawe, chairman, UK MAS Regulatory Working Group (chairperson); Sinikka Hartonen, secretary general, One Sea Association; Jan van Tiggelen, discipline leader digital transformation, DNV; Najmeh Masoudi, autonomous mobility advisor, Future Mobility Consulting
What better way to canvas opinion about what the future could – and even should – look like than hearing from a panel of industry experts, all of whom are sure to have plenty of insight to add to the ongoing discussion. With figures from across the sector, this is a chance to enjoy a lively and productive discussion from those at the forefront of progress.
June 24, 11:15-12:30
Maritime 5G for ocean digitalization: technologies, opportunities and visions
Kun Yang, professor, Zhejiang Ocean University
The future of smart ships will rely on them being able to communicate effectively, so reliable, high-speed, cost-effective wireless communication is critical for enabling applications such as unmanned ships, offshore industries and smart oceans. Catch this session for an overview of recent developments in 5G communication at sea, how it can be used in maritime applications, and how future advances may support innovations.
June 24, 14:25-14:50
Can ships talk?
Patrick Potgraven, program manager smart shipping, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management
This sounds like a rather simplistic question, but it’s actually a fascinatingly intricate subject – the intentions of ships is a key aspect of navigation, and the automatic exchange of sailing intentions can improve safety and efficiency on waterways. This session is worth catching to hear about a large-scale experiment relating to this issue, which will take place in the second half of 2025.
June 24, 14:50-15:15
Applications of simulation in the uncrewed maritime sector
Will Roberts, maritime autonomous systems engineer, BMT
Simulation is a key developmental tool in many sectors, including autonomous marine applications. This presentation will illustrate how simulation identifies potential design flaws, optimizes performance and ensures regulatory compliance. It will also examine synergies between simulation and real-world testing, highlighting their combined effectiveness in advancing the field of autonomous maritime technology.
June 25, 10:05-10:30
Navigating the future: trends, challenges and cybersecurity in marine engineering
Amit Gupta, lead engineer, Kongsberg Maritime
We talk about cybersecurity in most industries these days, and it’s an important thing to keep in mind as the maritime sector continues to undergo such a vital transition. I’ve heard from Amit before, so I’m expecting a fascinating examination of emerging trends in marine engineering, challenges facing the industry, compliance with stringent regulations, the need for a cybersecure marine environment and the future outlook.
June 25, 14:00-14:25
The European AI act and autonomous shipping
Frank Stevens, associate professor, Erasmus School of Law
We spend a lot of time – quite rightly – discussing the technologies that will enable the future of autonomous shipping, but there’s also a lot to explore from a legal standpoint. I’m looking forward to hearing Prof. Stevens discuss the European ‘AI Act’ (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689), which entered into force on August 1, 2024, and what the possible impacts of this new regulation might be on the development of autonomous ship systems.
June 26, 11:00-11:25
