The US Navy’s huge unscrewed robot ship has sailed through the Panama Canal

By David Hambling

A US Navy unscrewed ship during a training exercise

US Navy

For the first time a robotic cargo ship has passed through the Panama Canal. The ship, an Oreword ship of the US Navy, made a journey of 4,700 nautical miles (8700 kilometers), including the passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, almost entirely without human assistance.

Pentagon spokesman Josh Frey says the ship was in autonomous mode for more than 97 percent of the voyage. A distant crew helped if necessary.

The US Navy has two of the 59-meter Overlord ships that have been modified by manned express transport vessels. …