Autonomous cargo-hauling won’t be restricted to only a few trucks and aircraft. As per a CNN report, Yara International is hoping to sail the first autonomous, fully electric cargo ship in Norway by the end of this year.
The Yara Birkeland will take on a journey from Herøya to Brevik with only three remote control centers keeping watch over the ship’s voyage. Yara first created the concept back in 2017 and planned a sail in 2020, but its plans were derailed due to the pandemic.
Reducing carbon emission
It has a top speed of 13-knot generated from its two 900kW propulsion systems, and it’s safe to assume that its huge 7MWh will take a while to fully charge. However, the company believes it will be worthwhile for environmental gains.
The company hopes the Yara Birkeland would replace around 40,000 truck trips every year, which will eventually reduce CO2 and nitrous oxide emissions in a country that already relies on hydroelectric power.
The ship will also help reduce the traffic congestion on roads and will keep humans out of danger. It may still be a few years before you witness autonomous cargo haulers making trips to other places. Even if they achieve the range, docks will still be a problem, as it would be harder for a self-sailing ship to navigate at a busy port.
Legal issues could follow
Besides, there are some legal hurdles. Different nations have different rules for the sea. As with autonomous cars, there’s also a liability concern. Who’s to blame if an autonomous ship crashes with another ship?
In May, NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer embarked on an expedition led by NOAA Ocean Exploration to explore the deep ocean. The mission will also be a testament to the new technology that involves an autonomous underwater vehicle. Called Orpheus, the submersible robot will pack a system that will be useful in navigating and identifying scientific features on the seafloor.
