Holland Shipyards Group bags two plus two autonomous ferry order

The ferries will be autonomy level 2 by IMO standards and controlled remotely from an operations centre in Stockholm, with crew onboard to take control if necessary. A crossing will be possible with the push of a button.

The ships will be 86 m by 14m and able to carry 60 cars.

The deal between Holland Shipyards Group and Trafikverket Sweden covers the delivery of two ferries, four automooring facilities, two charging stations, a simulator facility and the remote operations center. The options add a further two ferries, four automooring facilities and four charging stations. The ships will charge while moored.

“We are extremely proud to be a part of this pioneering step in shipbuilding” said Cor Hoogendoorn, director Holland Shipyards Group.

With an increased focus on remote operation, systems onboard need both remote operation capability and robust redundancy to cope with equipment failures. The shipyard said there will be a large number of inputs into the vessels’ Integrated Automations Systems, mirrored in the remote operations centre to enable full remote control of the ship’s functions.