Finland's Wartsila has completed another trial of its autonomous docking system that involved a ferry sailing between three Norwegian ports with no crew intervention.
Calling the operation "unprecedented", it said the system was used uninterrupted for the entire route, visiting all three ports serviced by Norled's 1,200-gt ferry Folgefonn (built 1998), which has hybrid propulsion and is already fitted with a Wartsila wireless charging kit.
Once the operator selected the next destination berth, the operation was started by simply selecting “Sail”, which authorises the autonomous controller to take over.
The ferry was able to leave the dock, manoeuvre out of the harbour, sail to the next port of call, manoeuvre through the harbour entrance, and dock alongside the terminal – all without human intervention.
It is believed to be the first ever attempt at a fully automated dock-to-dock operation, in complete hands-off mode, for a vessel of this size.
A giant leap for mankind?
“This represents a huge step forward in validating automated shipping solutions, and an important progression within our Smart Marine programme," said Joonas Makkonen, vice president of voyage solutions at Wartsila.
Navigation is controlled through the use of a series of tracks and waypoints, which guide the ship to the next destination.
The autonomous system controls the vessel’s speed, position on the pre-defined track, and heading.
Earlier tests took place from January to April, and finished with actual harbour docking trials.
The system is activated about 2km from port and the vessel continues at normal transit speed.
