NYK has performed the first autonomous but not unmanned voyage of a large ship, sailing from China to Japan:
It sounds like science fiction. Ocean-going ships with no-one on board. But this vision of the future is coming - and sooner than you might think.
[Robot ships: Huge remote controlled vessels are setting sail - BBC News](Robot ships: Huge remote controlled vessels are setting sail
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Large robotic vessels like this are rapidly going into service around the world
Eioght of this type of autonomous vessels have now been built by VARD Vung Tau.
The last was delivered to Ocean Infinity 24. Jan 2024
Three has arrived at Vard Søviknes for installation and commissioning of equipment for autonomous operation.
One is presently in manned operation out of Esbjerg, Dk. while two are still at Søviknes.
Armada 08-02 is regularly seen out at Vigrafjorden on seatrials, while Armada 08-03 appears to be idle at the yard.
IS it possible that some of these will be used in the renewed search for the missing MH370?:
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WHY A NEW SEARCH FOR MH370 NOW?
Unfortunately, the ocean is a chaotic place, and even oceanographic drift models cannot pinpoint the exact location of the crash site.
The proposed new search by Ocean Infinity has significantly narrowed down the target area within latitudes 36°S and 33°S. This is approximately 50km to the south of the locations where UWA modelling indicated the release of debris along the seventh arc. If the search does not locate the wreckage, it could be extended north.
Since the initial underwater searches, technology has tremendously improved. Ocean Infinity is using a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles with improved resolution. The proposed search will also use remotely controlled surface vessels.
In the area where the search is to take place, the ocean is around 4,000m deep. The water temperatures are 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, with low currents. This means that even after ten years, the debris field would be relatively intact.
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Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/malaysia-airlines-flight-mh370-missing-debris-search-indian-ocean-4178061