Errr.

While we’re all for the future, we can’t help but think the world’s first crewless, automated cargo ship might run into a few troubles – mainly, pirates.

Set to be released in 2018, and expected to go fully autonomous in 2020, the Norwegian-built Yara Birkeland will use “GPS, radar, cameras, and sensors to navigate itself around other boat traffic and dock on its own,” reports The Verge.

It is anticipated to cost around $25 million (R332 million) and, while that means it will cost three times the price of a normal container ship of the same size, on the plus side it wont have the additional costs of fuel or crew, cutting annual costs by up to 90%.

Boom.

Check it:

Here in the office, we just want to know what will happen if pirates had to board the ship.

Who would be there to save it? Will there be automated security robots? There is only Tom Hanks (Captain Phillips joke), so how do you stop a good, solid looting from taking place?

So many questions and just one request – please don’t cast Johnny Depp in the inevitable movie, he has done the pirate thing to death.

Until that problem can be solved, Berry & Donaldson is the only global freight logistics company we choose.

From purchase through to delivery, they help you through the complicated process of getting your cargo to and from the required destinations.

And yes, they will protect your cargo from pirates, too.

They’ll also negotiate with contractors and pay all the duties, taxes and rates incurred when buying or selling cargo, and you’re getting more than 50 years of experience sitting on your side of the table.

Way better than staying awake all nights wondering whether the pirates have boarded yet. *Shivers

[source:theverge]