Engineering360: "Video: Building the Frst Autonomous, Zero Emissions Container Ship"

Most harbours have a requirement for a Pilot to master the navigation of a vessel into port. So how do they get around this legal requirement?

Full electric is okay, I guess this ship is only intended for short coastal runs so as part of the tie up is a plug in to charge the batteries. For my money an onboard Nuke generator would make more sense.

Having no onboard crew means that the loading shore crew will have to ensure the cargo is properly secure. One of the ship borne crews jobs is to monitor and secure loads that shift. Still being a calm water ship it may not be an issue.

I'm going to presume the "no Ballast" is because of the inherent weight of the batteries. However ships trim their ballast to match the sea conditions and their loads. I'm sure some numbnut shinybum engineer has the numbers to prove that this is all good.

Nice concept and Shipping in general has been trying for the past 50 years to diminish crew numbers this is one way to achieve that goal.

Old Swedish Proverb translates as " Shipping is Uncertain"

How is this truly zero-emissions in the grand scheme of things? That energy has to come from somewhere. This ship is merely deferring what would otherwise be its own emissions to that of onshore generation, no?

Digital pirates.

Adm. H. Rickover was one of a kind in modern history, but there must be a Rickover II out there pushing ahead with 40-year life autonomous seagoing propulsion reactor equipped with an irreversible disabling feature if someone tries to swipe it on the high seas. Of course, approaching and in harbor, there are a vast number of security and baby-sitting issues putting a ''crew'' in the loop.