BHP considers using autonomous vessels to carry iron ore, coal

Melbourne

BHP Billiton Ltd, the world's biggest mining company, is studying the introduction of giant, automated cargo ships to carry everything from iron ore to coal as part of a strategic shift that may disrupt the US$334 billion global shipping industry.

"Safe and efficient autonomous vessels carrying BHP cargo, powered by BHP gas, is our vision for the future of dry bulk shipping," Rashpal Bhatti, vice-president, freight, wrote in a posting on its website. The company, also one of the world's largest dry bulk charterers, is seeking partners to work on technological changes in the sector, he said.