Russia Develops Automated Cargo Weight System for Arctic Vessels

A new system built by Arctic researchers in Murmansk can measure ship cargo mass without human input—even in subzero conditions.

Scientists at Murmansk Arctic University have developed a fully automated system to measure cargo mass aboard vessels operating in extreme northern climates. Unlike traditional draft surveys—which require staff, visual access to hull markings, and time-consuming stops—the new system dramatically reduces human involvement, saving both time and operational costs.

The challenge lay in ensuring the system’s precision, reliability, and data integrity in Arctic temperatures. Every component—from the power modules to the transmission systems and physical structures—was designed and manufactured in Russia.

A simplified version of the system has already been successfully tested on a port barge. It was able to relay cargo weight data in real time to all shipboard communication devices. Field trials of the full-scale version are ongoing, with engineers now evaluating its ability to function autonomously in deep cold.