The main advantage relates to cost savings especially in fuel consumption with electricity powering more of the propulsion, she explained. The greater use of electricity as opposed to fuel also plays a role in reduced emissions as the maritime industry looks toward the global sulphur cap of 0.5% for marine fuels coming into effect next year.

Another push for autonomous shipping comes from the safety dimension, with the sensors on board to provide greater situational awareness, she added.

One Sea works with marine technology firms, ports, safety organisations, class societies and related companies to “further anything to do with maritime,” Haikkola explained. Founded in 2016 and led by innovation accelerator DIMECC (Digital, Internet, Materials & Engineering Co-Creation), One Sea is backed by Business Finland but its activities have repercussions far beyond its borders.

Research funding agency Business Finland had earlier financed Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Applications (AAWA) research.

There has been steady progress since One Sea’s founding, with Finnish legislators having authorised the DIMECC-managed Jaakonmeri Test Area off Finland’s west coast as the world’s first zone open for testing autonomous maritime traffic. Other areas internationally are being explored for similar tests.

Autonomous vessels may account for up to 17% of global shipping by 2040 according to a recent World Maritime University study but some sectors are likely to embrace it sooner than others.

“Short sea shipping where vessels move back and forth on the same route, road ferry types,” are candidates for early adoption, Haikkola said. Geographic areas catering to such marine traffic include northern Europe and parts of Asia.