Korean shipyard Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) has announced a tie-up with the Port of Rotterdam Authority to collaborate on the development of ‘smart’ vessel transport technologies, under an exclusive strategic cooperation deal.
The two companies will work together over the next three years to examine the use of digital tools to improve the integration of smart ships and port facilities, including the potential introduction of autonomous systems.
This will include research into digital twin models for use in port, and the development of real-time data exchange and analysis systems for ships approaching shore, to create better optimised, safer port visits.
The companies will also focus on improving decarbonisation in shipping transport through the implementation of voyage optimisation technologies.
“This cooperation is not just about technology development, we are planning to verify the effectiveness of our research items by applying the results to actual ships,” DSME said, in a statement (translated from Korean).
“Smart ships improve operational efficiency and safety, and smart ports improve port operational efficiency. A consequent reduction in environmental pollution is also expected.”