Two Norwegian companies, agricultural business Yara International and technology firm Kongsberg Gruppen, are leading the race to develop autonomously operated ships, which could have a major impact on seaborne trade. Scheduled to begin sailing in 2020, the Yara Birkeland is equipped with GPS, cameras, sensors and radar to navigate and dock autonomously. The $25m vessel will begin its career by transporting fertiliser 37 miles down a fiord.
Two Norwegian companies, agricultural business Yara International and technology firm Kongsberg Gruppen, are leading the race to develop autonomously operated ships, which could have a major impact on seaborne trade. Scheduled to begin sailing in late 2018, the Yara Birkeland is equipped with GPS, cameras, sensors and radar to navigate and dock autonomously. The $25m vessel will begin its career by transporting fertiliser 37 miles down a fiord.