Innovative SAC project is equipped with two major semi-autonomous systems. Sea Navigation will allow to automatically guide the ship on all open waters, including the resolution of all collision situations with the CPA (Closest Point of Approach) established, subject to COLREGS regulations and taking into account bathymetry of the basin. The system will adapt to changing assumptions. The functions will be implemented in the autopilot software, both from the local and remote ICT system.
Ecological semi-autonomous marine power plant with a set of batteries - based on a diesel-electric engine with an additional innovative power system (Engine Room eco mode) will allow a significant reduction of fuel consumption. An innovative battery system installed on the ship will accumulate the energy saved in the power plant. Engine room parameters will be monitored and analysed to allow automatic settings (in both local and remote modes) and optimize operating costs.

As the Research Institutions CTO and Maritime University of Szczecin are highly involved in the project development it is expected that the vessel’s innovative hull shape inspired by nature and thoroughly tested will have the hydrodynamic resistance significantly reduced and vessel’s non-collision routes will be automatically adapted to changing conditions. Presently the vessel is undergoing the complete model tests in CTO research facility in Gdańsk.

The prototype of the unit will be made at Szczecin Shipyard as part of the research and devel-opment project "SAC (Semi-Autonomous Coaster) - development, construction and verification in real conditions of a prototype of a semi-autonomous sea freight cargo ship", co-financed by the National Center for Research and Development from the SG OP, project number: POIR.01.01.01-00-0478 / 18