In order to further develop autonomous shipping, 5Groningen is planning to launch a pilot in collaboration with Groningen Seaports, with the intention of exploring the possibilities of autonomous shipping in seaports and coastal waters.
In the context of this experiment, an autonomous inland vessel is to sail between Delfzijl and Eemshaven. 5G technology will be used for bearing, sensor information transfer and long-distance remote control. The pilot is scheduled to start in the summer of 2019.
This experiment aims to contribute to the further development of autonomous shipping, thus potentially creating new possibilities regarding cost saving, safety and CO2 emission.
Autonoom Vervoer Noord-Nederland is a participant in this pilot program and shall as such have the opportunity to contribute to this research effort by sharing all of its gathered knowledge and experience in the field of autonomous transportation.
The pilot aligns perfectly with our ambition of putting the Northern Netherlands on the global map as the ideal pilot region for autonomous transportation (in all its forms). A pilot involving autonomous shipping complements well with this effort, offering an opportunity to acquire new knowledge in this field, which may well be relevant to other forms of transportation as well.
