seatec - Finnish marine technology review 2/2017 | Page 11

Remote Control & Autonomous Ships and Artificial Intelligence in Turku, Finland. The centre will be opened this year. Rolls-Royce’s strategic partners in the venture will be the Technical Research Cen- tre of Finland (VTT) and Tampere University of Technology (TUT), together with numer- ous SMEs and startups specialising in new technologies. Rolls-Royce believes that remotely controlled and autonomous ships repre- sent a fundamental change in shipping over the next decade and are driving the digital transformation in the sector. “Finland is the home of top ICT expertise and a strong maritime cluster. That is why Rolls-Royce has decided to establish the centre in Turku,” explains SVP Sauli Eloranta of Rolls-Royce. For Rolls-Royce, autonomous vessels are just the most recent chapter in the British com- pany’s over a 50-year presence in Finland. PERFECTION FROM THE BIGGEST PROJECT TO THE SMALLEST DETAIL TOTAL TRANSFORMATION Mikael Mäkinen, Rolls-Royce, President (Marine), comments that digitalisation will transform the shipping industry in the years ahead. “Over the coming years, we need to invest globally to develop the required capabilities and to establish a range of market-ready products and sys- tems to take advantage of what is a sig- nificant global market opportunity,” Mäki- nen analyses. Furthermore, Rolls Royce’s decision to focus its autonomous shipping R&D in Fin- land is pushing Tekes to increase its invest- ments in enabling technologies, such as artificial intelligence and communication technologies, as well as keep supporting companies that create leading knowhow and synergies with autonomous shipping. “Remotely operated and autono- mous shipping projects provide unique opportunities to develop pioneering solu- We provide the perfect connection for your business. Connect with us at helkamabica.com tions alongside lead users,” says Piia Moilanen. Pekka Sivonen, Executive Director of Digitalisation Strategies and Programmes at Tekes, adds that autonomous shipping Sang Myung Trading & Engineering Co., Ltd. Tel.: +82 51 610 1211 / Fax: +82 51 610 1215 [email protected] and logistics offer “significant customer interface”. It is natural to direct develop- ment to meet those needs, he points out.   n Helkama Bica Oy, Lakimiehenkatu 4, 20780 Kaarina tel. +358 2 410 8700, [email protected] seatec 2/2017 11