Kongsberg Maritime is set to initiate a cutting-edge trial of Eutelsat OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet service, aimed at enhancing connectivity for autonomous vessels. This trial will be conducted on an autonomous barge operating across the Oslo Fjord and represents a significant step forward in the maritime industry’s shift towards remote and autonomous shipping technologies.
The trial is a collaborative project supported by Telenor Maritime, a leading Norwegian telecommunications provider. The barge, a zero-emission, electric vessel owned and operated by grocery distributor ASKO, will be equipped with Eutelsat OneWeb’s latest Kymeta Peregrine u8 flat panel antenna system. This advanced technology will be used throughout the trial to test and optimize ship-board connectivity at sea.
Seamless Connectivity for Autonomous Operations
Seamless connectivity remains a critical challenge for remote and autonomous operations, particularly in open ocean environments. Pål André Eriksen, Senior Vice President of Remote & Autonomous Solutions at Kongsberg Maritime highlighted the importance of overcoming these challenges: “Seamless connectivity remains one of the key challenges for remote and autonomous operations, particularly in the open oceans. Overcoming the challenges of global connectivity and available bandwidth will unlock great potential for the deployment of such technologies in the future.”
The integration of the Eutelsat OneWeb antenna system on the ASKO barge will provide Kongsberg Maritime with the ability to experience LEO connectivity firsthand. This will enable real-time data transfer, ship-to-shore communication, and remote control of the autonomous vessel, offering a comprehensive demonstration of the technology’s capabilities.
Innovative Barge Operations
The ASKO barge is part of a pair of battery-powered vessels delivered in 2022, designed to reduce road travel and carbon emissions. Each journey across the Oslo Fjord can transport up to 16 trailers of cargo, significantly reducing the need for road transportation by two million kilometers annually and cutting carbon emissions by 5,000 tons.
During the trial, the barge will be remotely controlled from a Remote Operations Centre (ROC) located at the Kongsberg Maritime facility in Horten. The ROC is operated by Massterly, a joint venture between Kongsberg Maritime and Wilhelmsen, focusing on remote and autonomous shipping solutions.
Pål André Eriksen further emphasized Kongsberg Maritime’s role in advancing autonomous technologies “Through the successful demonstrations of our remote and autonomous technologies on several ground-breaking pilot projects, including the ASKO barges, Kongsberg Maritime has already proved that remote and autonomous technologies are applicable to different vessel types.”
Pioneering Connectivity Solutions
Telenor Maritime’s Chief Technology and Information Officer, Knut Fjellheim expressed his excitement about the project’s potential: “With OneWeb’s LEO coverage and our advanced connectivity platform, we’re on the cusp of achieving 100% uptime for ship connectivity. It’s thrilling to be at the forefront of such cutting-edge innovation.”
The collaboration between Kongsberg Maritime, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Telenor Maritime is expected to play a pivotal role in demonstrating the new capabilities that high-speed LEO connectivity brings to maritime operators. Alexandra Kenworthy, Director of Maritime & Energy at Eutelsat OneWeb, stated “This trial is a great example of shared vision; and Eutelsat OneWeb’s collaboration with trusted partners like Telenor Maritime and Kongsberg will continue, as we drive digital transformation across the maritime industry.”
Looking Ahead
The trial’s success could pave the way for broader adoption of autonomous vessels, not only in local fjords and rivers but also in open ocean waters. Both of the ASKO vessels, also referred to as sea drones, have a permanent bridge for manual operation, but the ultimate goal is to prove the autonomous concept to such an extent that future vessels may no longer require a bridge.
As this trial progresses, it marks a significant milestone in the evolution of maritime technology, bringing the industry one step closer to a future where autonomous vessels navigate the seas with seamless, high-speed connectivity.
Source Kongsberg Maritime