While the Nigerian Maritime Administartion and Safety Agency, NIMASA, is travelling arounf the world looking for vessels on which to place trained Cadets for Sea Time even as the country awaits the arrival of an imported floating dock to repair ships owned by  shippers afar, industry bodies in China, led by HNA Technology Logistics Group and China Classification Society (CSS), have established what is now known as the unmanned cargo ship development alliance.

Supported by experts from the ABS, DNV GL, Chinese ship and Marine Engineering Design Institute, Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute, among others, the alliance is expected to have a profound impact on the industry.

According to Li Weijian, Vice Chairman of HNA Technology Logistics Group, unmanned cargo transport development alliance is not only the organizer and leader of future shipping development, but founder and facilitator of technical product rules.

CSS said that it will work together with the industry to carry out unmanned cargo transport and related technology research, establish unmanned ship standard, promote the revision of the regulations, and provide assessment, verification and inspection services for the industry.

The alliance intends to become a pioneer in the adaptation of shipping and shipbuilding industry to the rapid change of market and technology, and believes that there will be broad prospects for the application of the outcome.

The alliance plans to invite more scientific and technical research institutions, industry and end-users to participate, and develop cooperation in the areas of unmanned cargo transport development, ship manufacturing and operation.

It is expected that the first unmanned cargo ship would be delivered in 2021, becoming the pioneer for the future shipping mode.