Kongsberg Successfully Completes Remarkably Complex Autonomous Vessel Trial

The EIDSVAAG PIONER is primarily employed by Eidsvaag, a shipping company operating along the Norwegian Coast and in fjord areas. Its main task is to transport fish feed to ocean fish farms.

The demonstration itself consisted of the vessel undocking from the port of Averøy, navigating to the world’s first ocean fish farm called “Ocean Farm 1,” owned by Salmar, and returning to the port. The journey covered a distance of 160 nautical miles and lasted approximately 13 hours. Throughout the entire demonstration, the vessel was controlled and operated by the crew at the Kongsberg Remote Operating Centre (ROC) in Ålesund. However, crew members were also on board during the tests in compliance with safety regulations.

The operations encompassed the vessel’s automatic undocking from the quay at Averøy, maneuvering out of the harbor, and navigating a route among several islands while avoiding other maritime traffic. Upon reaching the designated fish farm, various maneuvers were executed with the assistance of the Dynamic Positioning System, after which the vessel returned to port and docked automatically. Most of the vessel’s operations were performed autonomously, with intermittent support from the shore-based captain and engineer who remotely controlled the ship.

This vessel is one of two equipped for remote operations and the demonstration of autonomous capabilities. These demonstrations are being conducted as part of the AUTOSHIP project, which forms a segment of the larger EU research program known as “Horizon 2020.” A second demonstration is scheduled for June 1, involving the deployment of a cargo barge on the inland waterways near Wintam, Belgium.