KONGSBERG Seals New Partnership to Develop Zero-Emission, Full-Electric Ferry Concepts

KONGSBERG and PILOT-E will develop of a zero-emission, full-electric, autonomous ferry. Image Credit: Kongsberg

KONGSBERG Tuesday announced that it has signed a Research & Innovation (R&I) contract with PILOT-E for the development of zero-emission, full-electric, autonomous ferry concepts.

"The overall vision for the PILOT-E Autonomous Ferry concept is to develop a state-of-the-art ferry as an integrated, zero emission aspect of a total national transportation plan," explains KONGSBERG.

The PILOT-E programme is a joint initiative between the Norwegian Research Council, Innovasjon Norge, and Enova, and is intended to accelerate marketing of new technology concepts, while ensuring viable and sustainable solutions are produced.

In support of the PILOT-E ferry project, KONGSBERG will head a consortium with Grenland Energy on marine battery technology, Fjellstrand shipyard on vessel design, Grønn Kontakt on the charging of electric cars both quay-side and on board, and NTNU as a research partner within autonomy and energy management.

"The stakes are high and the autonomy vision is materialising as we speak. The PILOT-E Autonomous Ferry project introduces a new mindset encouraging us to look beyond the traditional organisational setup," said An-Magritt Tinlund Ryste, Project Manager, Kongsberg Maritime.

"To meet the ambitious time-to-market expectations, we must really adopt the true meaning of collaboration and step-up the work across technological areas within KONGSBERG and between partners, to harvest the best from each area of expertise."

KONGSBERG notes that it has already developed various industry partnerships for projects that will result in new connected, autonomous, and "environmentally friendly" vessels within the next two years, including the YARA Birkeland container feeder and the Hrönn offshore service vessel.