Autonomy and artificial intelligence: the digital pair reshaping offshore operations

AI in action offshore

Fugro is also using AI to support navigation and speed up its marine operations. "AI is an enabler for our work," said Mr Toxopeüs at the International Marine Contractors Association’s global summit at Utrecht, the Netherlands. "AI eases the burden of data processing and analysis. It helps us to be more efficient and more effective."

A concern about implementing AI is it would remove work from personnel, enabling companies to reduce their workforce. However, Mr Toxopeüs thinks applying AI effectively could generate new career opportunities for personnel.

DEME group sustainability director Jiska Verhulst agrees there are positive benefits from adopting AI for data analytics to improve business and onboard operations.

"We believe in AI and we want to find the applications in data collection and analysis," she said. "AI will help with faster data collection and information extraction."

IMCA president Luca Gentili said the association is working to become more connected and to use AI to write its documents in different languages for various nationalities.  

At the summit, SMD introduced the Horizon remote pilot station, video displays and subsea vessel command solutions.

The remote pilot station includes a command chair and workstation for remotely navigating a surface vessel or remotely operated vehicle using connectivity over low Earth orbit satellites or 4G and LTE networks.

Zelim’s unmanned seafarer recovery vessels were also revealed at the summit. Its Guardian remotely operated fast rescue craft has a Swift person recovery conveyor and Zoe intelligent detect, track software.

This Lloyd’s Register type-approved software, developed in partnership with US Coast Guard, uses AI to identify people overboard in the sea and alerts emergency responders. It tracks the person using cameras through to rescue.

The Guardian remotely operated fast rescue craft is deployed as an emergency response vessel - removing the need for personnel to pilot the vessel in high sea states. It has a built-in swift man-overboard module and has been tested in marine conditions. Once the person is close to the vessel it will autonomously recover them.

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