Affiliated Research Group:
Key Researcher(s):
Dr. Sami Elferik
Dr. Muhammad Fuady Emzir
Dr. Muhammad Faizan Mysorewala
Dr. Ahmed Eltayeb Taha
Eng. Karim Asif Sattar
Dr. Mahmoud Abouomar
In alignment with the Kingdom's strategic blue economy initiatives, the development of autonomous maritime technology is pivotal for enhancing both commercial and defense capabilities. Researchers at KFUPM’s Interdisciplinary Research Center for Smart Mobility and Logistics have engineered a pioneering hydrogen-powered, dual-mode autonomous marine system that addresses critical maritime needs. This system's ability to transition between surface and submerged operations offers significant advantages: in surface mode, it facilitates efficient navigation and cargo transport, optimizing logistics; while in its unique "gator mode," it enables covert missions, environmental monitoring, and underwater inspections, strengthening maritime security.
The developed system enables continuous surveillance, offshore infrastructure maintenance, and ecosystem monitoring—providing cost-effective, real-time environmental protection. With the global autonomous maritime market projected to reach $134.9 billion by 2030, this innovation strengthens Saudi Arabia’s leadership in sustainable marine technology while supporting the development of advanced logistics systems for commercial and defense applications.
This innovative dual-mode autonomous marine system offers substantial advantages, enabling continuous surveillance, offshore infrastructure maintenance, and ecosystem monitoring, all while providing cost-effective, real-time environmental protection. By utilizing hydrogen fuel, it achieves zero CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions, contributing to a significant reduction in global maritime pollution—addressing the sector's contribution of approximately 1 gigaton of CO2 annually, or 3% of the global total. Furthermore, it boasts a 50-100% increase in mission endurance compared to electric-powered systems. The system's autonomous operation significantly mitigates human error, which accounts for up to 75% of maritime accidents, thereby enhancing safety and reliability. Additionally, it promises a 20-30% reduction in labor costs, a considerable saving given that labor often constitutes 40-60% of total operational expenses. With the global autonomous maritime market projected to reach $134.9 billion by 2030, this development not only strengthens Saudi Arabia’s leadership in sustainable marine technology but also fosters the advancement of sophisticated logistics systems for both commercial and defense applications.
Through our commitment to sustainable development, this project aligns with the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):