Standards for maritime charging – a key for innovating ocean observations

Crewed research vessels with combustion engines, deploying sensor packages by winch and wire, that is how we are accustomed to see ocean data acquisition. This mode of operation will surely continue for many years ahead. But when we aim for scaling up and when we want to innovate ocean observations, then we look to robotics, to automation, and to electrification.

Making innovation possible often involves creating a common frame work, to make sure any new innovative solution actually can fit in, can be adopted and can make a difference. That is why standards are important drivers for innovation. And that is why SCOOT coordinates the project SeaCharging, a pre-study into standards for electric charging in the maritime sector.

SCOOT’s heart is with the small dedicated platforms for data acquisition. However, we believe that transport vessels (for people and goods) are the most realistic source of standards. That includes an enormous range of vessel types and sizes and purposes. The project SeaCharging focuses initially on vessels for public transport of people.