Robot Ghost Ships to Extend Miner's Technology Drive to Seas
- World’s top miner BHP seeking partners for vessel automation
- Rolls-Royce to China working on push to develop unmanned ships
Inside BHP's Plan for Autonomous Shipping
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BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s biggest mining company, is studying the introduction of giant, automated cargo ships to carry everything from iron ore to coal as part of a strategic shift that may disrupt the $334 billion global shipping industry.
“Safe and efficient autonomous vessels carrying BHP cargo, powered by BHP gas, is our vision for the future of dry bulk shipping,” Vice President, Freight Rashpal Bhatti, wrote in a posting on its website. The company, also one of the world’s largest dry bulk charterers, is seeking partners to work on technological changes in the sector, he said.