February 16, 2024
EU HORIZON 2020 BUGWRIGHT2
Overcoming Regulatory Barriers for Service Robotics in an Ocean Industry Context
Official Website: https://www.bugwright2.eu/
about the project
A commitment to ensure successful technology-policy interface for the seamless integration of oceanic remote technologies
The World Maritime University - Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute is pleased to implement the project “BUGWRIGHT2: Autonomous Robotic Inspection and Maintenance on Ship Hulls” with the generous support of the European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (under Grant Agreement No. 871260). Under the auspices of BUGWRIGHT2, the GOI seeks to overcome regulatory barriers for service robotics in an ocean industry context to ameliorate machine-learning-based human-robot interaction (HRI). Read more and download the Project Brochure here
About the Project
The World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden is a postgraduate maritime university founded in 1983 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. WMU offers unique postgraduate educational programmes, undertakes wide-ranging research in maritime and ocean-related studies, and continues global capacity building in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The European 2020 flagship, i.e., Innovative Union is implemented by the financial instrument known as Horizon 2020. The rationale behind the implementation and financial support is primarily aimed at securing Europe's global competitiveness. Funded under this initiative, BUGWRIGHT2 consists of a large consortium bringing together not only the technological knowledge from academia but the complete value chain of the inspection robotic market.
The World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI) is proud to be a consortium partner to the BUGWRIGHT2 umbrella initiative and has committed to delivering a series of tasks that will help overcome regulatory barriers for service robotics used by the ocean industry. The principal work of the GOI is to provide an insight on the complex legal framework concerning hull cleaning, inspection and
maintenance using Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs), small Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) coupled with teams of magnetic-wheeled crawlers. The potentials are limitless. Notwithstanding, a roadmap is in order for those remote technologies to thrive in a world that is dominated by human presence.
The research theme of the principal task undertaken consists of two distinct strands, a state-of-the-art legal insight into the standardization and certification rules and procedures developed by international organizations, the European Union and selected jurisdictions, and the pragmatic aspects concerned with preparing recommendations for the reform and the progressive development of relevant norms and policy advice concerning autonomous robotics regulation and standards. The results from the two strands will form the Regulatory Blueprint that is expected to enhance the competitiveness of European robotics technology in a highly competitive global market.
The work of the GOI is steered by a group of high-level experts comprising the GOI Senior Advisory Group (SAG). Together with support from the SAG and BUGWRIGHT2 Consortium Members, GOI intends to develop a code of conduct based on the regulatory blueprint in consultation with IMO.
Focus and outline
Research Focus
- Develop methodology for the evaluation of existing norms and standards;
- Review existing international arrangements;
- Conduct comparative national case studies;
- Analyze relevant European Union legislative framework; and
- Produce a distinctive and state-of-the-art regulatory and policy blueprint
- Deliver workshops, serve meetings and technical working groups;
- Consult and engage with classification societies and industry bodies;
- Provide recommendations for reform based on regulatory blueprint; and
- Disseminate recommendations in consultation with the International Maritime Organization
- Developed two state-of-the art reports (ref: Report Deliverable under WP 1.4 and WP 10.5)
- Produced a BUGWRIGHT2 Regulatory Blueprint
- Published two peer-reviewed books on autonomy, ports and robotics and several articles and book chapters
- Facilitated international dialogue and discussions through WMU-GOI-BUGWRIGHT2 Forum
- Disseminated and exploited results with over 3000 audiences from across the globe through participating in seminars, workshops, conferences and webinars
- Developed a WMU-GOI Senior Advisory Group with advisors from international, regional and national organizations and bodies
- Established two course lectures on Remote Inspection Techniques at the World Maritime University, which shall be delivered on an annual basis every year here on forth
Some of the project Outcomes
Inform stakeholders of all relevant regulations for the benefit of end-users
Harmonize rules pertaining to maritime service robotics
Dissemination and Exploitation of Knowledge through International Conferences;
Develop state-of-the-art regulatory blueprint for efficient inspection of ship hulls
The Team
Meet the Research Team
Principal Investigator, Associate Research Officer
Area of Research
Ocean Governance, Science-policy Interface, Vessels of Concern, Sustainable Development, Environmental Excellence
"Identifying regulatory barriers concerning optimized technologies for improved ocean governance has been the crux of my work at the GOI. I believe robotics, virtual reality and big data is the future. I also believe that barriers need to come down and silos need to be broken for "technology" and "regulation" to coexist. Despite characteristic differences, they have always remained in the same continuum. BUGWRIGHT2 is a project that has brought me closer to that realization."
Post Doctoral Fellow, Research Associate
Area of Research
Maritime Policy, State-of-the-Art Regulatory Projects, Sustainable Development, Environmental Protection, Shipping Governance
“My involvement in BUGWRIGHT2 stems from the need to be a part of an initiative that is revolutionary in nature. The project itself revolves around an esoteric landscape that requires trans-disciplinary research and pragmatic partnership between robotic system developers and end-users. Although challenging, there are plenty of gaps and drawbacks that need to be addressed before automation in the ocean industry becomes a reality. I am glad to be a part of this robotech-regulatory renaissance”.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Area of Research
Exploring theoretical and practical challenges, international and EU law, autonomous technological systems, ocean shipping
“The task of relating legal norms and instruments to developing scientific knowledge has posed questions that are among the most interesting and challenging of legal theory. The urgent practical and policy necessity driving this project - of appraising and reforming the international, EU and national legal regulation of autonomous and service robots employed in ocean industries - prompts engagement with just such questions."
Deliverables
News
Publications
Please see the list of peer-reviewed articles published in international journals under the EU H2020 BUGWRIGHT2 project. Links to open access are provided under the project which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 871260. The team acknowledges the generous funding of the World Maritime University (WMU)-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute by The Nippon Foundation.
- Johansson, T.; Dalaklis, D.; Echebarria Fernandez, J.; Pastra, A. and Skinner, J. (2023) eds., "Autonomous Vessel in Maritime Affairs: Law & Governance Implications", Palgrave Macmillan
- Johansson, T.; Echebarria Fernandez, J.; Dalaklis, D.; Pastra, A. and Lennan, M. (2023) eds., "Smart Ports & Robotic Systems: Navigating the Waves of Techno-regulation & Governance", Palgrave Macmillan.
- Johansson, Tafsir & Lennan, Mitchell & Echebarria Fernandez, Jonatan & Pastra, Aspasia & Dimitrios, Dalaklis. (2023). "Introduction to Smart Ports and Robotic Systems: Navigating the Waves of Techno-Regulation and Governance". DOI:10.1007/978-3-031-25296-9_1
- Johansson, Tafsir & Pastra, Aspasia & Dimitrios, Dalaklis. (2023). "Ocean Robotics in Motion: Applying BUGWRIGHT2 Top-down Regulatory-model to the Aquaculture Sector". Journal of Ocean Technology. 18. 19-26. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372345331_Ocean_Robotics_in_Motion_Applying_BUGWRIGHT2_Top-down_Regulatory-model_to_the_Aquaculture_Sector
- Pastra, A. et al. (2023). "Towards an International Guideline for RIT End-Users: Spearing Through Vessel Inspection and Hull Cleaning Techno-Regulatory Elements". In: Johansson, T.M., Dalaklis, D., Fernández, J.E., Pastra, A., Lennan, M. (eds) Smart Ports and Robotic Systems . Studies in National Governance and Emerging Technologies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25296-9_20
- Aspasia Pastra, Tafsir Matin Johansson, Vera Alexandropoulou, Nikoletta L. Trivyza & Klimanthia Kontaxaki (2023) Addressing the hazards of remote inspection techniques: a safety-net for vessel surveys, Law, Innovation and Technology https://doi.org/10.1080/17579961.2023.2287390
- Aspasia Pastra, Nathalie Schauffel, Thomas Ellwart & Tafsir Johansson (2022) “Building a trust ecosystem for remote inspection technologies in ship hull inspections”, Law, Innovation and Technology, DOI: 10.1080/17579961.2022.2113666
- Aspasia Pastra, Tafsir Johansson, “Towards a Harmonized Framework for Vessel Inspection via Remote Techniques“, Proceedings of the 32nd European Safety and Reliability Conference (ESREL 2022), 28th August – 1st September 2022, Dublin, Ireland. Doi: 10.3850/978-981-18-5183-4_J03-07-636-cd.
- Ríán Derrig (2022). Inspecting Ships Autonomously under Port State Jurisdiction: Towards Sustainability and Biodiversity in the EU, The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law (published online ahead of print 2022). doi: https://doi.org/10.1163/15718085-bja10097
- Tafsir Johansson (2022) Advances in Robotics and Autonomous Systems for Hull Inspection and Maintenance (2021) in “Emerging Technology and the Law of the Sea” (James Kraska and Young-Kil Park, eds.), Cambridge University Press
- Tafsir Johansson, Aspasia Pastra, and Ríán Derrig (2022), "Analysis of the Legal Framework", Deliverable Report D1.4: WP01, BUGWRIGHT2: Autonomous Robotic Inspection and Maintenance on Ship Hulls and Storage Tanks
- Tafsir Johansson et al. (Forthcoming 2022) RAS Techno-regulatory Regime: Six Blocks of Dynamic Influence Towards Good Environmental Stewardship, Intersentia, Cambridge, UK
- Tafsir Matin Johansson, Dimitrios Dalaklis, Aspasia Pastra, “Maritime Robotics and Autonomous Systems Operations: Exploring Pathways for Overcoming International Techno-Regulatory Data Barriers” Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (JMSE) 2021, 9(6), 594. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9060594
- Vera Alexandropoulou, Tafsir Johansson, Klimanthia Kontaxaki, Aspasia Pastra, and Dimitrios Dalaklis (2021) “Maritime Remote Inspection Technology in Hull Survey & Inspection: A Synopsis of Liability Issues from a European Union Context”, Journal of International Maritime Safety, Environmental Affairs and Shipping (Taylor & Francis) https://doi.org/10.1080/25725084.2021.2006463
Events
- Tafsir Johansson, Aspasia Pastra et. al (2024) “WMU-GOI BUGWRIGHT2 Forum”,
This collaborative event brought together experts, practitioners, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas, share experiences, and address challenges related to autonomy, ports, and robotics. BUGWRIGHT2: Overcoming Regulatory Barriers for Service Robotics in an Ocean Industry Context - Post-Event Material
16 February 2024
- Associate Research Officer, Aspasia Pastra, lecture about the “Era of Digitalisation”.
This seminar is part of the Maritime Safety & Environmental Administration specialization of World Maritime University
09 March 2023 - Dr Tafsir Johansson, (2023), special lecture on the title BUGWRIGHT2: Overcoming Regulatory Barriers for Service Robotics in an Ocean Industry Context before the honourable Executive Board members of the World Maritime University
17 March 2023 - Dr Tafsir Johansson, (2023), special lecture on "BUGWRIGHT2: Overcoming Regulatory Barriers for Service Robotics in an Ocean Industry Context." to representatives from the Port of Quebec, Canada
30 March 2023 - Dr Aspasia Pastra, (2023) "Remote Inspections Techniques (Drones, Remotely Operated Vehicles and Magnetic Crawlers)"
Brainstorming workshop in Göteborg/Sweden at the Seminar for Scandinavian Port Security Facility Officers, organised by the Nordic Crisis Management.
18 - 19 April 2023 - Dr Aspasia Pastra and Dr Tafsir Johansson, (2023) "Envisioning Blue Oceanic Affairs with Emerging Technologies" presentations at Delphi Economic Forum
27 April 2023 - Dr Tafsir Johansson, (2023) "Protecting Critical Maritime Infrastructures via Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS): Harmonized Techno-Regulatory Dynamics in Profile" presentation at 14th NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center (NMIOTC) Conference
08 June 2023 - Dr. Aspasia Pastra and Dr. Tafsir Johansson, (2023), presentations at the 7th Naftemporiki Shipping Conference
14 June 2023 - Dr. Aspasia Pastra and Dr. Tafsir Johansson, (2023), presentations at the 46th Conference on Ocean Lae and Policy (COLP), in Istanbul, Türkiye
22 September 2023 - Dr. Aspasia Pastra, (2023) presented a paper titled ‘BUGWRIGHT2 Remote Inspection Techniques in Medium and Small-Sized Scandinavian Ports: Application, Advantage & Adversity’ presented at the Devport Conference
4-5 October 2023
- Tafsir Johansson (2022) Regulating Emerging Technologies for Vessel Hull Inspection and Maintenance: Recommendations for Reform, Brazilian Institute for the Law of the Sea (IBDMAR), BILOS VI Congress on the
27 - 28 of October 2022 - Tafsir Johansson (2022) Deployment of Remote Inspection Techniques Maintaining Dynamic Governance: Umbrella Regulation or Self-Regulation? 7th International Conference on Ocean Law and Policy; Interdisciplinary Policy and Law on Artificial Intelligence in Maritime Affairs,
14 October 2022 - Tafsir Johansson (2022) Reconnoitring Techno-regulatory Dimensions of the Human Environment in Maritime Robotics & Autonomous Systems, IMO-WMU Conference, October 2022; Protecting the Ocean – Moving Forward at 50: London Convention and Stockholm Declaration
10 - 13 October 2022 - Aspasia Pastra, Tafsir Johansson, “Towards a Harmonized Framework for Vessel Inspection via Remote Techniques“, 32nd European Safety and Reliability Conference (ESREL 2022)
Dublin, Ireland
28 August – 1 September 2022 - Tafsir Johansson, “Law of the Sea and Class Techno-regulatory Dynamic Governance”, 45th Annual Conference on Oceans Law and Policy: UNCLOS at 40,
17 March 2022 - Tafsir Johansson, “Trust Ecosystem and Dynamic Governance in Vessel Class Survey”, Presentation at InterAct Kick-off Workshop, University of Copenhagen,
4 March 2022
- Tafsir Johansson (2021) “International-arrangements Analysis”,
World Maritime University (WMU)-International Maritime Organization (IMO) Webinar Series: EU Horizon 2020 BUGWRIGHT2: Overcoming Regulatory Barriers for Service Robotics in an Ocean Industry Context
01 December 2021 - Aspasia Pastra (2021) “National Comparative Analysis”,
World Maritime University (WMU)-International Maritime Organization (IMO) Webinar Series: EU Horizon 2020 BUGWRIGHT2: Overcoming Regulatory Barriers for Service Robotics in an Ocean Industry Context.
01 December 2021 - Ríán Derrig (2021) “European Union Analysis: Regulating to Use New Technology for Better Shipping”,
World Maritime University (WMU)-International Maritime Organization (IMO) Webinar Series: EU Horizon 2020 BUGWRIGHT2: Overcoming Regulatory Barriers for Service Robotics in an Ocean Industry Context
01 December 2021 - Tafsir Johansson. “Overcoming International Regulatory Barriers for Remote Inspection Technology in an Ocean Industry Context”, 2021 Global Ocean Regime Conference: Technological Innovation and the Role of the Law of the Sea, Organized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries & Korea Maritime institute
- Tafsir Johansson, and Aspasia Pastra. “Remote Inspection Technologies and the Human Element”, World Maritime Day 2021: Seafarers at the Core of Shipping’s Future, Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association.
30 September 2021 - Tafsir Johansson; Dimitrios Dalaklis; Thomas Klenum, and Aspasia Pastra. “Addressing Uncertainties in RAS Integration for Ships’ Hull Inspection and Maintenance: Through the Prism of International Environmental Law”, EELF Annual Conference 2021
8-10 September 2021
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