Bjorn Aage Hjollo NAVTOR e-N avigation Project Manager
Bjorn Aage Hjollo NAVTOR e-N avigation Project Manager (Photo: Navtor)
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The ENABLE project is conceived to prove, [ds_preview]verify and validate the safety of autonomous vehicles in Europe. NAVTOR has now received funding to investigate the concept of »shore-based bridges«. The Norwegian e-navigation firm will represent the maritime industry fort he next three years.

ENABLE was originally proposed by the car industry, before the EU widened its scope to take in the full spectrum of transport, including ships. NAVTOR was chosen to represent the maritime sector’s efforts due to its expertise and innovation in the field of navigation, planning and monitoring. According to NAVTOR the firm’s technology currently connects vessels and shore-based facilities worldwide to optimise routes, safety, efficiency and overall fleet management.

»We believe autonomous vessels will be a reality within the next 10 to 15 years«
NAVTOR e-Navigation Project Manager Bjørn Åge Hjøllo

NAVTOR’s role in ENABLE, which runs through to October 2019, will focus on testing the validity of the software element of a remote bridge concept, the company stated. This would be built upon continuous data sharing between vessels and land, with key navigation functions migrating from the crew to office-based teams. Shore-based bridges would not be central to the day-to-day operation of autonomous vessels, but wwould be a vital part of their support infrastructure, allowing those onshore to take charge of individual ships when necessary, it was said.

»We believe autonomous vessels will be a reality within the next 10 to 15 years,« NAVTOR e-Navigation Project Manager, Bjørn Åge Hjøllo, states. »Shore-based bridges will be a vital part of realising that vision. However, before that point there is work to be done. We can use our expertise with software, monitoring, planning, and the secure transfer of data between vessels as a platform to build upon. Together with actors from sectors such as research institutes and the car industry, which has already made huge leaps steps forward in autonomy, we can accelerate the development of safe, reliable and innovative solutions for maritime.«

NAVTOR launched the initiative with a pre-project meeting for 16 European experts, representing some of Europe’s leading research and development institutions, in its hometown Egersund last month. Other ENABLE participants include IBM, Philips Medical Systems, Renault, Tieto and Siemens.