Rolls-Royce and Svitzer demonstrate world’s first remotely operated commercial vessel

Svitzer´s 28m long Svitzer Hermod is said to have undertaken a number of remotely controlled manoeuvres earlier in the year.

From the quay side in Copenhagen harbour the vessel’s captain, stationed at the vessel’s remote base at Svitzer headquarters, berthed the vessel alongside the quay, undocked, turned 360⁰, and piloted it to the Svitzer HQ, before docking again.

The companies will continue their cooperation to test remote and autonomous operations for vessels with primary systems made up of autonomous navigation, situational awareness, the remote control centre and communication.

Built to a Robert Allan ship design, the Svitzer Hermod is equipped with a Rolls-Royce Dynamic Positioning System, which is the key link to the remote controlled system and helps the vessel to automatically maintain its position or heading by using its propellers, rudders and thrusters. The vessel is also equipped with two Rolls-Royce MTU 16V4000 M63 diesel engines each rated 2000kW at 1800rpm.

Sensors installed on the vessel combine different data inputs using advanced software to give the captain an enhanced understanding of the vessel and its surroundings. The data is transmitted to a Remote Operating Centre (ROC) from where the Captain controls the vessel.

Rolls-Royce said the Remote Operating Centre was designed to redefine the way in which vessels are controlled. Instead of copying existing wheelhouse design the ROC used input from experienced captains to place the different system components in the optimum place to give the master confidence and control. Rolls-Royce said the aim is to create a future-proof standard for vessels controlled remotely.

Lloyd’s Register’s Marine & Offshore director, Nick Brown, commented: “Working on this project with Rolls-Royce and Svitzer and supporting them on the safe demonstration of the Svitzer Hermod is truly a landmark moment for LR and the industry.

“With autonomous ships likely to enter service soon, we have already set out the ‘how’ of marine autonomous operations in our ShipRight [design tool for structural and fatigue assessment] procedure guidance as it is vital these technologies are implemented in a safe way and there is a route for compliance. Lack of prescriptive rules was no barrier for “de-risking” the project and we provided assurance against LR’s Cyber-Enabled Ships ShipRight Procedure, whilst considering the safety implications associated with the first closed demonstration.”

Throughout the demonstration the vessel had a fully qualified captain and crew on board to ensure safe operation in the event of a system failure.

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