Russia to Launch Cargo Deliveries with Uncrewed Boats
Russian companies Sitronics KT and CDEK are teaming up to test autonomous vessels that could transform logistics in remote regions.
Russian tech firm Sitronics KT and logistics operator CDEK have signed an agreement to deploy uncrewed cargo boats, marking a major step toward bringing advanced autonomous navigation technologies into the country’s transport industry. The deal was formalized at the Wings of Sakhalin international forum in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
The first trial run is scheduled soon, according to TASS. Sitronics KT’s autonomous vessel Strannik will sail from Nevelsk to Moneron Island without a crew onboard. CDEK will act as the logistics partner, providing critical cargo—medicines and communications equipment—needed to support life in isolated areas.
Project participants emphasize that the technology carries strategic importance for Russia. Autonomous boats could provide fast and reliable supply chains for the country’s most remote regions, where traditional logistics often break down. This innovation is increasingly seen as a key to maintaining national connectivity.
Sitronics KT already has experience developing autonomous navigation systems for large railway ferries. Now, its partnership with CDEK signals the next phase: deploying maritime drones for commercial logistics, a shift that could have wide-reaching implications for the future of the transport sector.
