Bourbon joins Hrönn autonomous ship project

France-listed offshore shipping group Bourbon has teamed up with Norwegian technology firm Kongsberg and UK-based Automated Ships Ltd

The French company has signed an MoU with Automated Ships to support the building of Hrönn a ship design first revealed last year by the company.

The autonomous unmanned Hrönn design has evolved from a catamaran to a slightly more traditional hull design

Initially of a catamaran design, the new design for what will be an autonomous, fully-automated and cost-efficient prototype, now looks more like a familiar offshore support vessel.

Bourbon and ASL will now look at how to get the vessel built.

The copmpanies describe the Hrönn design as a “light-duty, offshore utility ship servicing the offshore energy, hydrographic & scientific and offshore fish-farming industries.”

They say it could also be utilised as a ROV and AUV support ship and standby vessel, able to provide firefighting support to an offshore platform working in cooperation with manned vessels.

More details can be found on the Bourbon press release

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Craig Eason

Craig Eason is the owner and editorial director of Fathom.World. He has a background in the shipping industry having started his career as a cadet on oil tankers and gas carriers before becoming a navigating officer on a range of vessel types. A change in career, with ensuing university studies, and he has now gained 20 years experience in written and broadcast journalism. He now is in demand as a knowledgeable and competent editor and event host and moderator, both for in-house events and ones for the public.