- The accident occurred at 6:15 AM on December 5 near Maassluis, with both vessels remaining afloat but several containers going overboard.
- The River Drone 5, part of a fleet of autonomous barges, was present at the collision site.
- The River Drone fleet represents a significant step in Europe’s commercial remote-controlled shipping experiments.
- The incident underscores the need for robust safety measures as the shipping industry integrates autonomous technologies.
A collision involving a container ship and an autonomous barge, occurred on the Scheur River near Rotterdam, leading to at least four containers falling into the water. This incident raises questions about the safety and readiness of autonomous shipping technologies, reports Sea News.
Accident Details
On December 5, a container ship and the autonomous barge collided on the Scheur River near Rotterdam. The accident caused several containers to fall into the water, with four washing ashore.
Autonomous Barge Involvement
It was part of an innovative fleet of autonomous dry cargo barges and was identified at the scene.
Its operating mode (autonomous or manual) at the time remains uncertain.
Container Recovery Efforts
Salvage operations were promptly conducted, with the maintenance vessel recovering containers along the Maassluis riverbank.
Europe’s Autonomous Shipping Project
The fleet, operational since January 2023, is equipped with Seafar remote navigation technology, marking a significant milestone in autonomous shipping in Europe.
Regulatory Framework
Dutch inland navigation laws are evolving to support autonomous systems.
By 2025, fully crewless commercial vessel operations will be legally permitted.
Safety and Future Outlook
This incident highlights the potential risks associated with autonomous vessels and emphasizes the need for stringent safety measures as the industry refines these technologies.
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Source: Sea News
