Norwegian duo unites for world’s first autonomous shipping company

A joint venture between Norwegian companies Wilhelmsen and Kongsberg, Massterly will be based in Lysaker, Norway.

Kongsberg President Geir Håøy said Massterly intends to cover all aspects of autonomous ships, from design and development to control systems, logistics services and vessel operations.

Land-based control centres will also be established to monitor and operate autonomous ships in Norway, which has three autonomous shipping test beds, and internationally.

Wilhelmsen Group Chief Executive Officer Thomas Wilhelmsen said increased competitiveness would result in short sea shipping, using vessels such as zero-emissions ship Yara Birkeland, replacing road transport.

The vessel will be sailing between Yara’s Norwegian production facilities at Herøya and the ports of Brevik and Larvik.