Wärtsilä has successfully carried out testing of its innovative autodocking technology. The tests were carried out with the Folgefonn, an 83 m long ferry owned by Norwegian operator Norled.
The vessel has hybrid propulsion and is already fitted with a Wärtsilä wireless charging system. The installation of autodocking on a ferry is a world first.
Harbour Docking Trials
The autodocking tests took place commencing in January of this year and were completed in April with actual harbour docking trials. At no time during the tests did the captain need to take manual control.
The procedure means that the system is activated some 2000 m from the berth and the vessel continues at normal transit speed. The system then performs a gradual slowing of speed, and activates the line-up and docking manoeuvre fully automatically until the ship is secured at the berth. When the ship is ready to sail again, the system may be used for the departure procedure in an identical, but reverse manner.
Full Automatic Manoeuvring
Full manoeuvring of the vessel, including the steering and propulsion, is automatically controlled by the software. However, 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.
Improved Safety and Efficiency
Wärtsilä’s autodocking technology delivers notable benefits to operators. These include improved safety since 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.
Smart Marine
Norled has made the Folgefonn available to Wärtsilä for further development of a number of Wärtsilä Smart Marine products and systems. Among the Wärtsilä technologies already installed and tested are its energy optimisation system, the hybrid propulsion system, wireless inductive battery charging, and energy storage. The ferry can now be operated with automatic wireless charging, automatic vacuum mooring and automated docking.
Wärtsilä’s autodocking project is supported by the Norwegian state-owned Innovasjon Norge (Innovation Norway).
In 2017, the same Wärtsilä team successfully tested remote controlling of a ship sailing in the North Sea from its San Diego, California location. Developing intelligent vessels is central to Wärtsilä’s smart marine ecosystem vision.
Picture: The innovative Wärtsilä autodocking technology tests were carried out with the Folgefonn, owned by Norled.