BMT and Teledyne Marine to collaborate on maritime autonomy – Naval Technology

Report on BMT and Teledyne Marine Vehicles Partnership for Sustainable Maritime Autonomy

Executive Summary

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been established between BMT and Teledyne Marine Vehicles to enhance cooperation in maritime autonomy. This strategic partnership is poised to advance the development and deployment of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) in a manner that aligns with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning industry innovation, marine conservation, and global partnerships.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The collaboration directly supports several SDGs through its focus on technology, safety, and environmental compliance.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The partnership fosters innovation in autonomous maritime systems, developing resilient and sustainable technology for marine operations.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: By ensuring environmental compliance and enabling advanced scientific research, the AUVs contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The MoU itself exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership, combining BMT’s consultancy expertise with Teledyne’s manufacturing capabilities to achieve shared sustainability objectives.

Details of the Collaboration

Partnership Objectives and Scope

The agreement extends an existing relationship, formalizing a commitment to joint development in the field of underwater autonomy. The primary objectives are:

1. To leverage complementary expertise for innovative solutions in naval and commercial maritime sectors.
2. To integrate advanced autonomous systems that promote cost-effective, safe, and sustainable marine operations.
3. To provide comprehensive through-life support for autonomous maritime platforms, ensuring long-term viability and performance.

Contributions to Safety and Environmental Stewardship (SDG 14)

A significant aspect of the partnership is BMT’s role in delivering a Safety and Environmental Case Review (SECR) for the UK Ministry of Defence. This function is critical for achieving SDG 14 by:

• Ensuring Operational Safety: Mitigating risks associated with autonomous platforms in marine environments.
• Promoting Environmental Compliance: Upholding stringent standards to protect marine ecosystems from operational impacts.
• Providing Cyber Security Expertise: Safeguarding autonomous systems to prevent incidents that could harm marine life or infrastructure.

Technological Innovation for Global Goals (SDG 9)

Teledyne Marine Vehicles, comprising Teledyne Gavia and Teledyne Webb Research, manufactures a range of AUVs that serve diverse purposes aligned with global sustainability targets.

Key Autonomous Platforms

• Gavia, Osprey, and SeaRaptor class AUVs
• Slocum gliders
• APEX floats

Applications Supporting SDGs

• Scientific Research (SDG 14): These vehicles are utilized globally by scientific users to gather critical data on ocean health, biodiversity, and climate change, supporting efforts to conserve life below water.
• Sustainable Industry (SDG 9): Commercial applications of AUVs enhance efficiency and safety in marine industries, contributing to sustainable economic development.
• Maritime Security: Deployment by naval forces, including the UK Royal Navy and other NATO members, helps secure maritime environments, a prerequisite for stable and peaceful use of the oceans.

Conclusion

The MoU between BMT and Teledyne Marine Vehicles marks a significant step toward integrating sustainability into the core of maritime technology. By focusing on innovation, safety, and environmental responsibility, this partnership not only advances the capabilities of autonomous systems but also makes a direct and measurable contribution to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals for a more sustainable and secure future for the world’s oceans.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • The article focuses on a partnership to “advanc[e] cooperation on future projects in maritime autonomy.” This directly relates to fostering innovation and upgrading technological capabilities within the maritime industry. The development and use of advanced technologies like Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are central to this goal. The collaboration aims to “leverage new technology to deliver cost effective, safe and sustainable marine operations,” which aligns with building resilient and sustainable infrastructure.

2. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • The article explicitly mentions the need for “environmental compliance” and the delivery of a “Safety and Environmental Case Review (SECR).” This shows a direct concern for the impact of maritime operations on marine ecosystems. The goal to achieve “sustainable marine operations” reinforces this connection. Furthermore, the use of AUVs by “scientific users globally” contributes to increasing scientific knowledge about the oceans, which is crucial for their conservation and sustainable use.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The entire article is based on a “Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)” between BMT and Teledyne Marine Vehicles, which is a clear example of a partnership to achieve common goals. The collaboration extends to public entities, including the “UK Ministry of Defence,” the “Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV),” and “other NATO members.” This highlights the formation of public-private partnerships to share expertise and technology, which is a core aspect of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Targets under SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.5: “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries…encouraging innovation.” The partnership between BMT and Teledyne is explicitly aimed at advancing “maritime autonomy” and empowering them to “think innovatively and overcome challenges.” This collaboration to develop and deploy advanced AUVs directly contributes to upgrading technological capabilities and enhancing research in the maritime sector.

2. Targets under SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts…” The article’s mention of BMT delivering a “Safety and Environmental Case Review (SECR)” which “addresses requirements for… environmental compliance” is a direct action towards managing the impact of autonomous maritime platforms on marine ecosystems.
   • Target 14.a: “Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology…in order to improve ocean health.” The article states that the AUVs manufactured by Teledyne are “utilised by other military, commercial, and scientific users globally.” The use by scientific communities directly supports increasing scientific knowledge and research capacity regarding the marine environment. The partnership itself is a form of marine technology transfer and development.

3. Targets under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The article describes a partnership between two private companies (BMT and Teledyne) that also involves collaboration with public bodies such as the “UK Ministry of Defence” and the “Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV).” This is a clear example of the public-private partnerships that this target aims to promote.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 9

   • Implied Indicator for Target 9.5: The establishment of the “Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)” itself serves as a qualitative indicator of a joint venture to promote innovation. The development of “future projects in maritime autonomy” resulting from this MoU would be a tangible measure of progress.

2. Indicators for SDG 14

   • Implied Indicator for Target 14.2: The delivery and successful completion of the “Safety and Environmental Case Review (SECR)” is a specific, process-based indicator that measures the effort to ensure operational activities are in environmental compliance.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 14.a: The number and types of AUVs (“Gavia, Osprey, SeaRaptor class AUVs, Slocum gliders, and APEX floats”) deployed for use by “scientific users globally” can be used as a quantitative indicator for the transfer of marine technology and the enhancement of research capacity.

3. Indicators for SDG 17

   • Implied Indicator for Target 17.17: The number and nature of public-private partnerships. The article provides concrete examples that can be counted as indicators: the BMT-Teledyne partnership, their joint projects with the UK Ministry of Defence, and the framework agreement with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: naval-technology.com