First electric autonomous cargo ship launched in Norway

The two ports the vessel will serve, Brevik and Larvik, are only 7 and 30 nm respectively from Heroya where it will load cargo. It will charge while unloading at Brevik before sailing further on to Larvik so the longest leg is only 23 nm. One could make a very good argument that electric trucks could move the same number of containers those distances for a lot less money than this vessel will cost to build and operate over its lifespan.

In that case, why does it have so many windows? Wouldn't a more streamline shape with just cameras do?

PaulToday  10:30 am JST

In that case, why does it have so many windows? Wouldn't a more streamline shape with just cameras do?

Did you read the article or just look at the picture? Allow me to quote:

The wheelhouse could disappear altogether in "three, four or five years", said Holsether, once the vessel makes its 7.5-nautical-mile trips on its own with the aid of sensors.

Tom Hanks may have been forever Cast Away (2000)? - A question for the more knowledgeable here of international maritime law: are these emerging autonomous vessels still required to observe the international dictates of SOLAS ? . . .

*- “**With one of the industry's main concerns being the safety of crew and personnel on board vessels, SOLAS – Safety of Life at Sea – is generally regarded as the most important of all international Conventions.” - *

. . . Or do they just sail on by ? (RIP, Wilson. - “I’m sorry.”

I have an idea. Why don't they put some vertical poles along the deck and hang some canvas sheets from them? We could call these "masts" and "sails". I think this is a pretty eco-friendly idea so it is sure to catch on.

Look at a map of the route and you will begin to see why wind power for a vessel that size may not be a practical solution. The route is inland among steel terrain and involves a 180 change of course. Would prevailing winds make this possible? If however it is possible, here is a better solution, the rotor sail.

https://anemoimarine.com/rotor-sail-technology/

This technology is on ocean going ships today as a way to reduce fuel burn on open ocean transits. It is much easier to use, requires essentially no manpower to operate (unlike canvas sails which require significant muscle power) and lets the ship sail closer to the wind than possible with cloth sails.