Wärtsilä: successful tests of the world's first automatic docking system

Finnish company Wärtsilä reported that it successfully carried out tests of innovative automatic docking technology.

Tests of the new technology were carried out on the 83-meter ferry Folgefonn, owned by Norwegian shipowner Norled. It is a hybrid-powered unit that was previously equipped with a wireless charging system developed by the Finnish company Wärtsilä. Norled is the world's first unit equipped with automatic docking technology.

According to the Finnish technology company, the automatic docking system tests began in January this year and ended in April this year. The final stage of the tests involved real attempts to dock the unit in ports. Wärtsilä stated that "at no point did the captain have to manually steer during the tests".

What is the automatic docking system? Wärtsilä reported that the system is running about 2,000 metres from the station of the unit. The ship initially flows at normal speed and then gradually reduces the speed and launches the unit's setting and docking module until the ship docks safely. Moreover, the system developed by the Finnish technology company also allows the ship to dock automatically.

"Full ship maneuvering, including control and drive, is automatically controlled by software. However, at any time it is possible to manually intervene and take control of the unit", said Wärtsilä. As she added, the automatic docking system allows ship officers to focus on the situation outside the rudder, which is intended to increase the safety of docking operations.

Automatic docking technology is another product in the family Wärtsilä Smart Marine, which was installed on the Norwegian ferry Norled. As stressed by the Finnish company, among the already installed on the ferry and tested Smart Marine systems there are, among others, energy optimization system, hybrid drive system, wireless battery charging and energy storage systems.

Work on automatic docking technology is supported by the Norwegian company Innovasjon Norge (Innovation Norway). In 2017, cooperation with this partner . Wärtsilä successfully had remote control technology: the unit sailed across the North Sea and was operated from Wärtsilä headquarters in San Diego, California.

Wärtsilä is the world's leading supplier of complete energy solutions for the shipbuilding and energy industry. By focusing on technical innovation and energy efficiency optimization, Wärtsilä enables its customers to increase the economic efficiency of their installations and ships, while reducing their environmental impact.

In 2016, the net profit on sales amounted to EUR 4.8 billion, employing around 18,000 people. The company operates in over 200 locations in about 70 countries worldwide. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX exchange in Helsinki.

Common