Technologies advance DP, semi-autonomous support vessels

Vessel propulsion and onboard machinery can be controlled using systems that are becoming more autonomous and require fewer seafarer interactions, according to Marine Technologies vice president for sales and marketing Frederik Thanem.

He discussed key technologies emerging in the industry in a video interview on the sidelines of Riviera’s Annual Offshore Support Journal Conference, in London, UK, on 3 February 2026.

Mr Thanem said the company’s technology is installed on a fleet of semi-autonomous offshore support vessels, the Ocean Infinity series, and will be deployed on more remotely managed vessels in the future.

“On the Ocean Infinity fleet, we provided a complete integrated bridge solution, thruster controls and dynamic positioning systems, and we also helped with the remote operations centre in Southampton, UK,” said Mr Thanem.

He said operations will become further automated, and owners will reduce crew numbers on vessels due to these technologies.

“I foresee crew reductions and tasks being automated, and not necessarily only underwater surveys in the field,” said Mr Thanem.