World-first Autodocking installation successfully tested by Wärtsilä  

The technology group Wärtsilä has successfully carried out testing of its innovative autodocking technology. According to a company press release the tests were carried out with the ‘Folgefonn’, an 83-metre long ferry owned by leading Norwegian operator Norled. The vessel has hybrid propulsion and is already fitted with a Wärtsilä wireless charging system. The installation of autodocking on a ferry is a world first.

The autodocking tests took place commencing in January of this year and were completed in April with actual harbour docking trials. At no time during the tests did the captain need to take manual control.

The procedure means that the system is activated some 2000 metres from the berth and the vessel continues at normal transit speed. The system then performs a gradual slowing of speed, and activates the line-up and docking manoeuvre fully automatically until the ship is secured at the berth. When the ship is ready to sail again, the system may be used for the departure procedure in an identical but reverse manner.

Full manoeuvring of the vessel, including the steering and propulsion, is automatically controlled by the software. However, manual intervention and control is possible at any time. The automatic function allows the ship’s officers to focus on situational awareness outside the wheelhouse, thereby improving the safety and reliability of the operations.

Norled has made the ‘Folgefonn’ available to Wärtsilä for further development of a number of Wärtsilä Smart Marine products and systems. Among the Wärtsilä technologies already installed and tested are its energy optimisation system, the hybrid propulsion system, wireless inductive battery charging, and energy storage. The ferry can now be operated with automatic wireless charging, automatic vacuum mooring and automated docking.