In a significant stride towards safer and more efficient autonomous shipping, researchers have developed a novel navigation framework that combines chart-based planning with advanced collision avoidance technology. The study, led by Primož Potočnik from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana, presents a method that not only plans routes using maritime charts but also ensures compliance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) through Model Predictive Control (MPC).
The system works by first generating feasible routes using maritime charts and waypoints. Then, the MPC controller takes over for local trajectory tracking and dynamic re-planning, treating landmasses as static obstacles and other vessels as dynamic ones. The MPC approach also embeds COLREG rules, enabling the autonomous ship to maneuver compliantly during encounters. To make this work in real-time, the researchers introduced a simplified MPC formulation that balances predictive accuracy with computational efficiency.
Potočnik explains, “Our framework generates feasible reference routes using maritime charts and predefined waypoints. The MPC controller ensures precise path following and dynamic re-planning in response to nearby vessels and coastal obstacles.” He further elaborates, “Coastal features and shorelines are modeled using Global Self-consistent, Hierarchical, High-resolution Geography data, enabling MPC to treat landmasses as static obstacles.”
The implications for the maritime industry are substantial. Autonomous ships equipped with this technology could navigate safely and efficiently, even in complex scenarios with multiple vessels and constrained coastal areas. This could lead to reduced human error, improved fuel efficiency, and lower operational costs. Moreover, the system’s compliance with COLREGs ensures that autonomous ships can integrate seamlessly into existing maritime traffic.
The study, published in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (or ‘Journal of Marine Science and Engineering’ in English), demonstrates robust performance across diverse maritime scenarios. The simulation results show that the framework maintains the shortest safe routes while handling complex multi-ship encounters and coastal navigation.
For maritime professionals, this research opens up opportunities for enhancing autonomous navigation systems. The integration of chart-aware path planning with COLREG-compliant, MPC-based collision avoidance offers a scalable and robust solution for the future of autonomous maritime navigation. As the industry moves towards increased automation, such advancements will be crucial in ensuring safe and efficient operations at sea.