The German supplier association VDMA is founding a platform, “AMT”, in order to be able to respond to the development of automated and autonomous shipping in an even more targeted manner.
The new VDMA platform will operate under the name Advanced Maritime Technology, or AMT for short. The international shipping industry is undergoing profound change. In addition to the urgently needed measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the industry is focusing on digitalisation and striving for autonomous shipping on the world’s oceans, according to a statement on the background of the foundation. The VDMA is now responding to this development by founding AMT.
Eero Lehtovaara, Head of Regulatory and Public Affairs at ABB Marine & Ports and AMT Chairman, said: “The shipping industry is facing enormous challenges and major changes that need to be overcome. However, these challenges also open up great opportunities. With the establishment of AMT, we are taking a major step forward in addressing these issues at a European level and developing synergies within the association landscape.”
Daniel Chatterjee, Rolls-Royce Solutions and Deputy Chairman of the AMT, added: “By founding the AMT, we are creating a platform on which solution providers can work together and speak with one voice, particularly in the areas of automation and digitalisation through to autonomous shipping. I am sure that this will give the topic a further boost.”
The VDMA represents 3,600 German and European mechanical and plant engineering companies. The companies employ around three million people in the EU-27, more than 1.2 million of them in Germany alone.
