Finnish technology group Wartsila has completed a successful test of its new autodocking system.
The guinea pig vessel was Norwegian owner Norled's 1,200-gt ferry Folgefonn (built 1998), which has hybrid propulsion and is already fitted with a Wartsila wireless charging kit.
"The installation of autodocking on a ferry is a world first," the company said.
The tests took place from January to April, and finished with actual harbour docking trials.
At no time during the tests did the captain need to take manual control, Wartsila said.
The system is activated about 2km from port and the vessel continues at normal transit speed.
It performs a gradual slowing and activates the line-up and docking manoeuvre fully automatically until the ship is secured at the berth.
When the vessel is ready to sail again, the system can be used for the departure procedure in an identical but reverse manner.
Full manoeuvring of the vessel, including the steering and propulsion, is automatically controlled by the software, but manual intervention and control is possible at any time.
"The automatic function allows the ship’s officers to focus on situational awareness outside the wheelhouse, thereby improving the safety and reliability of the operations," Wartsila added.
The company said there is less likelihood of human error, less wear and tear since the thrusters are efficiently utilised, and greater efficiency in docking which allows more time at berth.
