CUTTING-edge 'smart ship' technology is to be tested in Portland Harbour.

Echoing the Second World War 'bouncing bomb' test at nearby Fleet Lagoon, the software is to be used by artificial intelligence vessels that are being developed for the military - among other industries.

The technology is being created as part of a project to open up the UK's waters for the development of marine autonomous surface ships (MASS).

It could be used to remotely control manned and unmanned ships, and a small, drone-like MASS vessel has already been developed by the Ministry of Defence.

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency's (MCA) MARLab, which is working on the project along with maritime organisations, has chosen Portland harbour due to its size.

The online platform will collect data from marine traffic, as well as weather and sea bed information. It can then be shared with the marine industry for programming of MASS vessels.

The MCA confirmed that there are currently no plans for the AI ships themselves to be tested in the area.

A spokesman for the MCA said: "The data will cover the area of Portland harbour and a surrounding area, allowing industry and academia to assess the suitability of potentially testing vessels effectively and safely on the water, or for conducting laboratory testing."

The software is being developed by Solis Marine and Maritrace, both maritime organisations based in London.

Ros Blazejczyk, project manager for Solis Marine, said: "Portland presents an ideal choice for this test as a well-defined harbour which is big enough for a MASS test area but not so large that data sets for this viability study become unwieldy."

The news has been welcomed by port officials.

Bill Reeves, CEO of Portland Harbour Authority said: "Portland Port is delighted to be able to support the MCA in its work to support the development and testing of autonomous vessels.

"The MCA’s decision to use the port follows on from a number of meetings with their team over the last several months and we look forward to working with them in the future. "

Dr Katrina Kemp from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said: "This project forms a vital part of a wider initiative by the MCA to make sure the UK is a world leader in autonomous and smart shipping, with UK waters being open for testing of this exciting new technology."