Press release -
Kongsberg Maritime: New Electric Ferry Project Expands KONGSBERG’s Autonomous Vessel Newbuild Project Portfolio
- Research & Innovation (R&I) contract signed with PILOT-E
- New autonomous functionality in development including Auto Docking and Auto Sailing/Auto Crossing
Kongsberg, Norway, 5th September 2017 – 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 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.
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 viable and sustainable. Its goal is to ensure that the benefits of advanced projects result in actual deliveries to the market.
For KONGSBERG, the R&I contract provides partial funding for developing ground-breaking new autonomous functionality such as Auto Docking and Auto Sailing, giving the Norwegian maritime technology specialist the momentum to continue its pioneering development of autonomous functionality for commercial vessels.
KONGSBERG has already established a number of key 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 fulfil the PILOT-E mission, KONGSBERG 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. The partners in the PILOT-E project have been chosen due to their complementary technology and a shared ambition of developing robust solutions for the future.
“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. 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,” says An-Magritt Tinlund Ryste, Project Manager, Kongsberg Maritime.
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Gunvor Hatling Midtbø , VP Communication
Kongsberg Maritime
Tel: +47 9921 4209
gunvor.hatling.midtbo@km.kongsberg.com
Saul Trewern
Saltwater Stone
Tel: +44 (0)1202 669244
s.trewern@saltwater-stone.com
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About Kongsberg Maritime
Kongsberg Maritime is a global marine technology company providing innovative and reliable technology solutions for all marine industry sectors including merchant, offshore, subsea and naval. Headquartered in Kongsberg, Norway, the company has manufacturing, sales and service facilities in 20 countries.
Kongsberg Maritime systems for vessels cover all aspects of marine automation, safety, manoeuvring, navigation, and dynamic positioning. Subsea solutions include single and multibeam echo sounders, sonars, AUV/Underwater Robotics, underwater navigation, communication and camera systems.
Training courses at locations globally, LNG solutions, information management, position reference systems and technology for seismic and drilling operations are also part of the company’s diverse technology portfolio.
In parallel with its extensive technology portfolio, Kongsberg Maritime provides services within EIT (Electro, Instrument & Telecom) engineering and system integration, on an EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) basis.
Kongsberg Maritime delivers solutions that cover all aspects of technology underwater and on the water, aboard new build and retrofit vessels, and on offshore platforms and rigs, often under a single supplier strategy called The Full Picture.
Kongsberg Maritime is part of Kongsberg Gruppen (KONGSBERG), an international, knowledge-based group that celebrated 200 years in business during 2014. KONGSBERG supplies high-technology systems and solutions to customers in the oil and gas industry, the merchant marine, and the defence and aerospace industries.
www.km.kongsberg.com
