Rolls-Royce to debut automatic crossing system

The ferries, to be deployed on the route between Anda and Lote from the beginning of 2018. They are designed by Multi Maritime and feature a battery system provided by Siemens. Propulsion is provided by Rolls-Royce azipull thrusters. The ships will be built at Tersan shipyard in Turkey.

The automated crossing system will control the vessel’s acceleration, deceleration, speed and track. The captains will supervise the system and intervene using conventional manoeuvring systems where needed. In the first delivery, the captain will manoeuvre the ferry manually the last few metres to the dock. The next iteration of this product will extend the system to allow automatic berthing.

If the captain is unable to take manual control the system will stop the vessel at a safe distance from the quayside and keep it safely positioned automatically until further action can be taken.

The system will ensure consistent behaviour during the journey, providing predictable energy consumption – a crucial factor given the contractual limits on energy consumption demanded of ferry operators by the Norwegian government.

Jann Peter Strand, product manager, automatic & control, Rolls-Royce, said: “The Automatic Crossing System has been developed with the company’s Ship Intelligence programme and will help the customer meet their contractual need to ensure predictable energy consumption optimised for varying environmental conditions. It is a step on the road to realising Rolls-Royce’s goal of remote and autonomous vessels.”