Finland to permit remote pilotage in waters

The policy measure is expected to encourage research into autonomous vessels in the country. Finland is home to a cluster of companies engaged in research into autonomous vessels. Two different projects conducted high-profile tests in late 2018.

A condition for approving applications for remote piloting is that the remote pilotage will not endanger vessel traffic or cause any harm to the environment. Authorisations will be granted for defined routes for a renewable period of up to five years.

ABB conducted a remote-control trial operation on a working passenger ferry in November 2018 when ice-class passenger ferry Suomenlinna II was remotely piloted through a test area near Helsinki harbour.

Just a few days later, Rolls-Royce and Finnish state-owned ferry operator Finferries used a combination of Rolls-Royce Ship Intelligence technologies to navigate a car ferry, Falco, autonomously during its voyage between Parainen and Nauvo. The return journey was conducted under remote control.