Tallinn Shipyard, owned by BLRT Grupp, and MindChip, a spin-off of Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), have made a significant leap in the maritime industry by developing and implementing the world’s first autonomous surface-cleaning robot specifically designed for industrial ship repair operations.
The autonomous surface-cleaning robot can be deployed in any port or harbour, not only ensuring water surface cleanliness but also performing a wide range of autonomous operations such as environmental monitoring, data collection, or other custom tasks based on operational needs.
This is the first and only autonomous robot in the world specifically integrated into ship repair operations – purpose-built to perform reliably in the demanding conditions of a shipyard water basin. At present, it has no equivalent in the global ship repair industry.
The developed robot is a fully electric vessel, in line with the latest trends in green maritime technology and operates reliably in all weather conditions. It´s supported by manual override mode for enhanced flexibility in critical situations and is plug-in ready, meaning additional modules or systems can be integrated in the future.
The robot advances green ship repair
“This is only the initial stage of our shipyard’s robotisation, aimed at replacing manual operations and enhancing environmental safety within the framework of a complex heavy industry,” commented Sergei Kravchenko, Chairman of the Management Board of Tallinn Shipyard.
This innovation comes as part of a strategic initiative to digitize production processes and enhance environmental sustainability efforts within the company.
The deployment of this robot demonstrates that automation in heavy industry is not only feasible, but also highly effective for advancing sustainability and competitiveness. It stands as a clear example of how collaboration between industry and research can deliver unique, globally relevant solutions. This innovative solution contributes to the international drive for green ship repair and industrial automation.
GOOD TO KNOW
The robot is equipped with:
- detection systems for identifying petroleum products on the water surface,
- route correction tools using visual and radar-based input,
- specialised oil skimmer modules for pollution removal in case of emergency,
- a SOPEP-based system for preventive adsorption of pollutants,
- an automated chemical dispersant unit for breaking down heavy hydrocarbons (including fuel oil and diesel residues).
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