BRITAIN’S national centre for marine robotics has been officially launched in Southampton.

CEbotiX will offer operational development, workforce training and assurance in autonomous maritime technology.

Its launch comes as the maritime sector moves to reduce the number of mariners at sea, with the aim of improving safety, sustainability and costs.

SeaBot Group, which specialises in the use of technology for workforce development, set up CEbotiX as a hub for the development of marine robotics.

Ben Keith, managing director at CEbotiX, said: “CEbotiX is on a mission to help the UK move forward faster and together, towards a future of smart shipping.

“We provide a customer focussed service, by bringing together all stakeholders, including technology developers, vessel operators and regulators, into a national eco-system, to ensure the UK retains and extends its world-leading position in the maritime domain.

“This is an exciting time for the maritime industry.”

Speaking at the Maritime Autonomy Technology Showcase, Mr Keith said CEbotiX’s facilities were available for use. They include test facilities along the south coast and in Scotland, workshops, engineering space, remote control centres and a range of autonomous systems.

Subsea Craft – one of the companies behind the CEbotiX consortium – will provide testing facilities in Portsmouth and Portland to those using CEbotiX. It will support development, training, testing and assurance of autonomous technology.

Scott Verney, chief executive of Subsea Craft, said: “We’re delighted to be part of CEbotiX’s work, and for Subsea’s facilities to play an integral role in the development of new and innovative maritime technology.

“It fits perfectly with our vision that the future of maritime technology can best be delivered through agile and innovative partnerships, with British companies at the heart of this nascent sector.”

CEbotiX will mainly offer support in technology development, workforce training and assurance against standards that are still in draft form.

Its technology park, initially based at Southampton’s National Oceanographic Centre (NOC) in Southampton, allows for accelerated development and testing of equipment as well as concepts that underpin new technology.

CEbotiX will have access to several test sites, including deep water of Loch Ness, and waters off the south coast through its partnership with Subsea Craft.

It will also offer training in marine autonomous systems. Earlier this year, SeaBot, the National Oceanographic Centre and the Royal Navy signed a memorandum of understanding for providing the navy’s training.