SOLUTION / PUBLIC SOURCE RECORD
Massterly enables sustainable logistics with autonomous ships
- Published October 18, 2022; updated September 30, 2026; estimated reading time 2 minutes. Categories: Maritime; Battery; Energy.
- Massterly develops maritime logistics services for autonomous shipping, covering the full value chain for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS): vessel design and regulatory approval, control systems, logistics, vessel operations, insurance and financing support. It says shore-based control centres can operate multiple vessels with few or no crew onboard, potentially making short-sea shipping more competitive.
- The page describes congestion, pollution and accidents from truck traffic as a challenge and notes that although Norway supports shifting freight from road to sea, trucking remains cheaper; shipping is most cost-effective over longer distances or for large loads.
- Claimed cost reductions come from removing crew accommodation, bridge and related safety equipment, heating and ventilation, and waste and water systems from vessel designs, plus operating multiple vessels from shore. Lower speeds can cut energy use: the article says reducing speed from 10 to 8 knots can halve consumption. It says about 75% of maritime accidents are caused by human error, especially fatigue and loss of attention.
- The article says uncrewed vessels would mainly be maintained in port and designed with fewer moving parts, including electric propulsion, for low or zero emissions. It includes a historical forecast estimating the autonomous-ships market would grow from USD 6.1 billion in 2018 to USD 13.8 billion by 2023, and says the EU aimed to shift 30% of cargo moved over 300 km by road to sea or rail by 2030.
- Massterly began operations in September 2018 as a joint venture between Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen; the page says the partners combine 360 years of experience. SDGs 9, 11 and 14 shown.
- Contact: Jon Nordgard, VP Business Development, Jon.Nordgard@massterly.com. Company: MASSTERLY AS, Strandveien 20, 1366 Lysaker, Norway; massterly.com/.