Norwegian ferry operator Torgatten plans to use self-driving technology on its routes near Trondheim and has signed a contract with Kongsberg's experienced self-driving team to develop the system.
Torgatten plans to install self-driving technology on existing car ferries on the Flack-Rorvik route, which depart from a terminal about nine miles west of central Trondheim. The service connects the city with his four-mile-away Forsen Peninsula on the other side of the Trondheimfjord. This route is important to local communities because it would take a three-hour drive around the fjord to reach the same point on the peninsula without taking the ferry.
Under the agreement, the ferry will use Kongsberg's self-docking, self-crossing, collision avoidance and situational awareness technology that enables vessel autonomy. Torgatten hopes that the system, within the guidelines set by regulations, will help solve the severe talent shortage.
“Self-driving ferries can improve safety and punctuality, reduce energy consumption, and take over daily tasks from the crew, allowing them to focus their attention on the sea rather than the dashboard or navigation controls. ” said the technical director of the ferry operator. , Jean-Egil Wagnild. “At the same time, recruiting in general in our industry is very weak and we are all struggling to have enough people.”
Kongsberg has previously developed several autonomous projects, including an all-electric autonomous container feeder for Yara Birkeland and two electric cargo ferries for Norwegian grocery store operator ASKO. Kongsberg, together with Wilhelmsen, also operates a remote operations center for autonomous vessels in Horten, Norway, to control unmanned vessels. (The Torgatten ferry remains manned.)
But there is still much work to be done, said Pal Andre Eriksen, Kongsberg's senior vice president of autonomous solutions.
“The basic technology is already in our company, but to optimize it and develop it further, we need to deploy it to commercial ships and build an industry around what we can commercialize for global markets. It depends on you,” Eriksen said. “We are very optimistic about this project and look forward to providing a positive boost to maritime authorities’ efforts to adapt regulations.”
