The car ferry service
operation is part of the Norwegian highway network – County Road 715 - and
connects the city of Trondheim with communities on the Fosen peninsula.
The project will see Kongsberg Maritime
technologies installed on the ferries, including its auto docking, auto
crossing, collision avoidance and situational awareness capabilities.
“The ferry industry
has several challenges where autonomous processes can be part of the
solution," said Jan-Egil Wagnild, Torghatten’s Technology Director.
"Self-driving ferries can help increase safety and punctuality, reduce
energy consumption, and take over routine tasks from the crew, who can then
spend their attention on the sea instead of on the dashboard and navigation
controls.
“We have several
industrial environments in Norway that are at the forefront internationally in
the field of maritime autonomy. Now there’s another platform where the key
players can test new technologies in operational conditions and commercialise
these solutions.”
Addressing the shortage of seafarers, Wagnild adds:
“At the same time, recruitment in our industry is generally far too weak, and
we all struggle to get hold of enough people.”