How are autonomous ships navigating the world's oceans?

The answer

Autonomous ships use AI, LIDAR, radar, satellite navigation, and computer vision to navigate without human crews. In 2022, the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) completed a transatlantic crossing from Plymouth, UK, to Halifax, Canada, guided entirely by AI. Norway's Yara Birkeland became the world's first fully electric, autonomous container ship. The technology promises to reduce the 75–96% of maritime accidents caused by human error, cut fuel costs through optimized routing, and address a global shortage of 90,000 qualified seafarers. Major shipping companies like Rolls-Royce and Maersk are investing heavily in the technology.