SIMIC

ILA president Harold Daggett said in a release: "Workers around the world are under assault from the threat of automation by greedy companies only interested in making money and eliminating workers who helped them build their success and companies. It's got to stop, and my ILA will do what it needs to do to save our jobs and the jobs of maritime workers around the world.

"The ILA will not work a container ship without a crew aboard. Already one company developing these automated ships also plans for automated loading and unloading of cargo from these crew-less ships without workers. That's not going to happen under my watch."

Mr Daggett called on all US maritime unions to join the ILA in refusing to work autonomous container vessels. He also hopes to win the support of the International Dockworkers Council in a campaign to stand against the elimination of on-board shipping jobs.

Last week in China it was announced that the AV Zhi Fei, a 300 TEU autonomous cargo vessel, will enter service next month on a short-sea route between Dongjiakou and Qingdao, while Scandinavian shipping awaits the imminent start of operations of the Yara Birkeland, to date the industry's most high profile adventure into autonomous shipping.