Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV), CMA CGM and the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) have signed a Joint Development Project (JDP) agreement during SMM to develop and assess the feasibility of an assisted container vessel concept based on enhanced onboard decision-support capabilities, putting technological progress at the service of people and human expertise.

The project will explore how digitalization, AI enhancement and decision-support technologies can support onboard energy efficiency and operational performance, and enhance the safety of the ship for crew and cargo, while also reducing crew workload and providing more effective operational support through digital-assisted assistance.

The collaboration reflects a broader industry shift toward increasing levels of ship automation and remote support. It also aligns with the ongoing development of the IMO's Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code, a regulatory framework for vessels with varying degrees of autonomy, which is currently in an experience-building phase as stakeholders gather operational lessons before mandatory provisions take effect.

Bringing together complementary expertise in container shipping, ship design and classification, the JDP will develop a technology-neutral assisted-vessel concept designed to increase operational efficiencies while maintaining appropriate human oversight and operational control. The JDP combines distinct expertise from across the industry: CMA CGM will provide operational requirements, use cases and the shipowner perspective; SDARI will contribute its expertise in merchant ship design, systems engineering and smart ship technologies; and BV will provide independent class, safety, risk-assessment and regulatory expertise.

The study will assess and identify priority areas and levels of assistance across main onboard functions before developing a selected concept in detail, analyzing its technical, safety, regulatory and commercial viability. This will be followed by a Concept of Operations and Basis of Design, which will define the enhanced roles of crew, assisted functions and shore-based support, with safety and human-factor assessment through a risk-based approach aligned with BV Rules.

The concept will then be consolidated into technical specifications and an Approval in Principle application, alongside high-level CAPEX and OPEX estimates and a development roadmap. An Approval in Principle from a classification society is a common early-stage milestone for novel ship concepts, providing an independent assessment of feasibility against applicable rules before any commitment to construction.

Alex Gregg-Smith, President of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, said: "Decision-support technologies have the potential to improve energy efficiency and operational performance, enhance safety and reduce the burden of repetitive tasks on seafarers. The important point is that these technologies are developed within a robust, human-centered and risk-based framework. This collaboration aims to provide a structured framework to evaluate how assisted-ship technologies can be translated from emerging capabilities into practical, safe and commercially relevant applications for container shipping."

Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President of the CMA CGM Group, in charge of Operations and Assets, said: "The ship of the future will be enhanced by AI and technology in order to sail on safer and more efficient routes. It is essential for safety reinforcement and global decarbonization ambition. Yet, the expertise and constant participation of our crews in new developments will be key and vital for the success of any technology enhancement in the maritime industry. Onboarding our crews right at the inception of technological progress is a must for CMA CGM Group and will benefit all."

Lyu Zhiyong, President of SDARI, said: "Successfully integrating mature available technologies in a safe and efficient way, while ensuring the neutrality and forward-looking nature of technical solutions, is the key success factor for this project. We have consistently worked closely with the shipping industry and risk management organizations to ensure the feasibility, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the proposed solutions. We hope that this collaborative effort will serve as a successful international model for implementing MASS Code during the experience-building phase."

Source: Bureau Veritas