Going in a straight line in flat water... yes, easy to automate. However what about hitting waves properly so you don't capsize in stormy high seas? What about

Going in a straight line in flat water... yes, easy to automate. However what about hitting waves properly so you don't capsize in stormy high seas? What about that mechanical staff that maintains the engines and keeps everything running properly, because stuff does break down? What about the cost of airlifting a crew to a ship stranded 800mi from shore because the automation failed? I don't see this happening anytime soon. From a person/ton perspective, large cargo ships are the most efficient form of transit ever created. Now, how about automating the loading/unloading of these ships that is VERY slow and labor intensive? Oh yeah... we tried that, remember all the west coast port strikes a few years ago?