The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) has released a report on the human impact of autonomous ships in what it describes as a major piece of research. For the report, IMarEST’s Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships Special Interest Group (MASS-SIG)) sought to gauge the potential impact of self-governing ships and plot out a new course for the … [Read more...]
Shipbuilding Contract Signed for Unmanned, Zero-Emission Container Ship ‘Yara Birkeland’
The world’s first autonomous and electric container ship is one step closer to reality with a shipbuilding contract now in signed and sealed for the vessel. Norwegian technology firm Kongsberg, who is partnering with Yara on the project, announced today that Yara has signed a deal worth NOK 250 million ($25.9 million) with VARD to build the vessel with launch scheduled for … [Read more...]
WATCH: Captain Demos Remote-Controlled Tugboat from 700-Miles Away
Netherlands-based KOTUG has demonstrated what it says is the first sailing of a remotely controlled tugboat from a long-distance location. For the demonstration, the tug RT Borkum, located in Rotterdam, was controlled from the floor of the International Tug, Salvage & OSV Convention, which was taking place over 700 miles away in Marseille, France. A KOTUG captain took … [Read more...]
Robot Boats Propel One of China’s Hottest Startups
By Blake Schmidt (Bloomberg) -- In the vast, freezing Ross Sea, China’s “Snow Dragon” icebreaker needed to find a safe anchorage before it could begin its mission to set up China’s fifth Antarctic research station. The solution was to deploy one of Zhang Yunfei’s freezer-tested boat drones to map the ocean floor. For Zhang, it was the latest in a string of government … [Read more...]
Rolls-Royce and AXA Partner on Risk Management Products for Autonomous Shipping
Rolls-Royce and risk management firm AXA Corporate Solutions on Monday announced they have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to explore ways to jointly develop risk management products for autonomous shipping. Under the LOI, the company's will seek ways in which they can combine their respective products to bring a new offering to the marine market, utilising Rolls-Royce Ship … [Read more...]