No autonomous vessels tested in Jaakonmeri despite 2018 plans

A state-designated test area in Jaakonmeri, off Eurajoki in Satakunta, has yet to host a single trial of an autonomous vessel, eight years after it was reserved for that purpose.

The delay stems from current legislation, which does not permit unmanned vessels to operate at sea, according to Harri Kulmala, CEO of Dimecc Oy, the company managing the 126-square-kilometre site.

Kulmala acknowledged that the technology exists but is not being developed due to the lack of a viable market. He admitted the company had been overly optimistic in 2018, assuming legal changes would come faster.

International guidelines for autonomous shipping have already been approved, but binding legislation is not expected until 2032, according to Marko Rahikainen, regulatory affairs lead at the One Sea association, which advocates for legal reforms to enable autonomous maritime operations.

Dimecc’s original reservation for the Jaakonmeri test area expired at the end of last year, but the company has secured an extension, retaining control until 2035. The area cannot be used for underwater testing, ruling out trials for subsea drones. Finland has no other site capable of simultaneously testing multiple unmanned vessels, though single-vessel tests are possible elsewhere if safety regulations are met.

Using the Jaakonmeri area costs a five-figure sum per week, covering the exclusion of other maritime traffic and security arrangements. Kulmala noted that while this enables testing of entire fleets, cheaper options exist for single vessels. The vessels in question range from dinghy-sized to larger craft.

Kulmala expressed confidence that legal changes will eventually occur, though not immediately. Interest in the test area has come from the United States and South Korea, though he declined to specify the parties or vessel types involved.

Rahikainen added that autonomous vessels will vary in size and purpose, with partial autonomy already in use on many ships to enhance safety. The upcoming regulations aim to ensure the reliability of the technology.