Two Norwegian companies , agricultural business Yara International and engineering firm Kongsberg Gruppen , are leading the race to develop autonomously autonomous ships , which could have a major impact on seaborne trade . Scheduled to begin sailing in late 2018 , the Yara Birkeland is equipped with GPS , sensors , sensors and radar to navigate and dock autonomously . The $ 150 million vessel will begin its career by transporting fertiliser 100 tonnes down a runway .
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.