Kongsberg seals partnership for autonomous ferry concepts

Kongsberg has signed a Research & Innovation (R&I) contract with technology acceleration organisation PILOT-E for the development of zero emission, full-electric, autonomous ferry concepts. The vision for the PILOT-E concept is to develop a ferry as an integrated, zero emission aspect of a total national transportation plan. 

The PILOT-E program, a collaboration between the Norwegian Research Council, Innovasjon Norge and Enova, is designed to accelerate time to market for cutting-edge technology concepts, while at the same time ensuring that the solutions produced are sustainable. 

For Kongsberg, the R&I contract provides partial funding for new autonomous functionality, such as Auto Docking and Auto Sailing.

Kongsberg has already established several industry partnerships on projects that will result in new connected, autonomous and environmentally friendly ships within the next two years, including the YARA Birkeland container feeder and the Hrönn offshore service vessel.

To fulfill the PILOT-E mission, the company is heading 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.