World’s first autonomous passenger ferry setting the scene for global expansion

In the next few weeks, citizens of Trondheim, Norway can catch a ride with the world’s first autonomous electric ferry. The trial operation is an important step toward a full-scale commercial ferry service in Scandinavia’s largest city, Stockholm, in 2023.

The autonomous ferry, milliAmpere 2, is becoming a popular choice of transport for pedestrians in a hurry. In just one minute, the ferry makes a shortcut across the canal – a journey that normally takes over fifteen minutes to walk using the nearest bridge.

Behind the pilot project are world-leading researchers on maritime autonomy at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Zeabuz, a spin-off company, set to commercialize the autonomy system, and the Research Council of Norway which has backed much of the technology development.

- The trial operation in Trondheim gives us a unique opportunity to study the entire system, from technical aspects to the passenger’s experience, and learn what happens when society and autonomous technology interact, says Erik Dyrkoren, CEO of Zeabuz.

The ferry’s autonomy system and sensors ensure safe navigation, while comfortable and swift maneuvering is ensured by the industrial DP system (dynamic positioning) and four azimuth thrusters powered by a large battery pack. The ferry ride is monitored by NTNU’s Shore Control Lab, with communication running via a secure 5G network to ensure capacity for live video transmission.

Green, waterborne revolution

Electric waterborne transport is increasingly becoming a competitive and environmentally friendly alternative to road and rail transport. With more than 37,000 kilometers of waterways connecting hundreds of cities and industrial regions in Europe, waterborne transport is a cost-efficient contribution to decongesting overloaded road networks in densely populated regions.

- To solve the world's transport needs and the climate crisis, we must utilize urban waterways for mobility. Autonomous ferries make this possible, in an environmentally and economically sustainable way, says Dyrkoren.

Zeabuz has now teamed up with one of Norway’s largest ferry companies, Torghatten, which will launch a full-scale autonomous ferry service with Zeabuz technology in Stockholm, Sweden next year. Together they envision several networks of unmanned ferries, operating in and around Stockholm, ensuring a user-oriented service with high-frequency departures nearly 24/7.

- milliAmpere 2 is an important step toward Stockholm, which is the perfect launch pad for global expansion. We are already talking to customers in all parts of the world who are fascinated by our safety philosophy, business model, and our approach towards trustworthy autonomy, says Dyrkoren.?