Agricultural products specialist Yara International is developing an autonomous ship, which could be the prelude to the use of similar technologies in deepsea shipping.

The Norwegian company, which operates in 60 countries, has revealed plans to build the world’s first all-electric ship, which will be able to conduct shortsea operations unmanned.

The container feedership will carry 100 to 120 containers for voyages of up to 32 nautical miles and is expected to cost around NOK 100m ($11.5m).