The Smart Ships Coalition is a collaborative network of industry leaders, government agencies, researchers, and technology developers working to advance smart and autonomous maritime systems across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region. Together, we are shaping the future of marine transportation: making it safer, more efficient, and more sustainable through innovation.
Whether you're a vessel operator, port authority, technology provider, academic institution, or policymaker, there's a place for you in the Smart Ships Coalition. Join us in accelerating the responsible adoption of intelligent maritime systems: connect with us, participate in events, and become a part of the transformation.
Our Work
Our work spans a wide range of activities, including pilot demonstrations of smart ship technologies, policy research, and stakeholder engagement. The Coalition helps align innovation with the unique operating environment and economic importance of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence maritime system by fostering collaboration across borders and sectors. Our major work includes:
Marine Autonomy Research Site
The Smart Ships Coalition partnered with Michigan Technological University at Michigan's Office of the Great Lakes to create the Marine Autonomy Research Site (MARS). MARS is the world’s first designated freshwater test bed for autonomous surface and underwater vessels. The site provides a controlled, yet realistic, freshwater environment for companies, researchers, and government agencies to test and validate autonomous vessel technologies under real-world conditions.
Technology Demonstrations
The Smart Ships Coalition hosts public on‑the‑water technology demonstrations showcasing real-world applications of autonomous vessels and advanced marine systems in the Great Lakes region. These demonstrations provide hands‑on validation of autonomous vessel capabilities while engaging stakeholders and building support for broader applications in research, environmental monitoring, and maritime operations.
Webinars and Workshops
The Smart Ships Coalition facilitates interactive, multi‑day workshops that bring together academics, policymakers, industry leaders, and government regulators to tackle the adoption of autonomous maritime systems across the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence region.
Latest News
Smart Ships Coalition 2023 Workshop
The Smart Ships Coalition convened its annual fall workshop September 21-22, 2023, in conjunction with the Lakebed 2030 Conference as well as the Great Lakes / Great Rivers Section of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers fall meeting.
Smart Ships Coalition Email List
The Smart Ships Coalition provides updates on activities such as demonstrations, webinars, and other newsworthy items via an email list. If you wish to receive periodic updates and announcements from the Smart Ships Coalition, please subscribe to our mailing list by contacting us at: admin@smartshipscoalition.org.