Progress towards self-driving cars and lorries gather the headlines and computer-controlled flying taxis are also on the agenda but self-sailing ferries and cargo ships are likely to beat them all into common commercial use. Maritime industry chiefs and port executives expect self-sailing ships to be par-for-the-course on British waterways and seas within just years and are already preparing for that reality.

By 2024, industry leaders expect self-sailing passenger ferries and container vessels to be running routes along the British coastline and between the mainland and islands. The technology is already essentially there and autonomous maritime transport is seen as a way to increase efficiency as well as lower emissions, as the latest technology in shipping is also typically all-electric.

The first self-sailing ship in commercial operation is Norway’s Yara Birkeland. The vessel is named for owner Yara International, a Norwegian chemicals company whose core business is nitrate-based fertilisers. In 2017 Yara teamed up with Norwegian tech company Kongsberg to build the world’s first zero-emission and autonomous container vessel. The Yara Birkeland will replace up to 40,000 truck journeys a year.

The container ship was due to begin commercial operations this year but has been delayed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Yara Birkeland will be able to hold up to 120 standard containers.

Richard Ballantyne, chief executive of the British Ports Association (BPA) believes passenger ferry routes such as those to and between the Scottish islands will eventually be a natural fit for self-sailing ships. However, there are psychological barriers that will have to be overcome. In the meanwhile, container ships are expected to be the first to use automated technology. He comments:

“There’s a lot of sensitivity about robots taking over routes, with hundreds or even thousands of people on board but these kinds of container vessels wouldn’t have loads of crew themselves. They’ve grown quite efficient. This would be the next step.”

The clearest sign a self-sailing future is coming is that ports around the UK are already preparing infrastructure plans that will allow them to host self-sailing vessels. The process is part of a consultation launched by the BPA designed to consider safety, insurance implications and regulatory requirements.

Trade unions are a further obstacle. The main unions of maritime professionals do recognise that technology means staffing requirements on ships and at ports are evolving but argue that transition must be carefully managed and that it is “absolutely vital”, staff are provided with the necessary training. Mark Dickinson, general secretary of the Nautilus International trade union is quoted in The Times newspaper as saying:

“It is clear that the role of seafarers is likely to change over time as new technologies emerge and a number of jobs may move ashore. But there will always be a requirement for human interaction from skilled maritime professionals, which is why seafarers must be at the heart of policy decisions and deliberations around automation.”

Professionals in the maritime sector accept that certain roles will inevitably be made redundant by new technology but also point out there are others that will see increased demand. One example of such would likely be maritime traffic management positions, where demand would be expected to increase if autonomous ships become common.

Ships sailing British waters already use some autonomous technology, such as in survey and inspection vessels who map the seabed. But over the next decade it is expected that self-sailing technology will become mainstream and also be used in first cargo and then passenger ships.