There is a famous story about President Harry S. Truman which may or may not be apocryphal but seems probable given his inclination towards acerbic observations. He is supposed to have asked his staff to find him a one-armed economist. When asked why, he replied, “Because every time I ask economists about the future they always say: ‘On the one hand’ and then, ‘on the other hand.’”
Established corporates and new startups are driving progress in autonomous shipping. The technology could improve safety, lower costs, and reduce energy consumption.
Construction has begun on the world’s first fully-autonomous cargo ship.
Last week, Norwegian shipbuilder Vard Holdings said it would produce the fully-autonomous and fully-electric container ship, the Yara Birkeland.
The ship will be built for Norwegian chemical company Yara, and will be designed as a zero-emissions vessel. It is expected to be completed in 2020.
