The aim of the Ferry Go! project is to develop an autonomous ferry transport
in the German-Dutch Wadden Sea. Autonomous ships represent a future prospect
for the maritime industry and are being trialled worldwide in initial pilot
applications. However, the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site is a particularly
difficult area for autonomous shipping due to its dynamic changes, the tide and
the shallow depths in some places.
The Ferry Go! project marks the start of the development of autonomous
shipping in the Wadden Sea. This topic, which is new to the region, is being
worked on in cross-border co-operation from the start. Ferry Go! is a high-tech
and at the same time implementation-orientated innovation project. This
includes concrete ferries and pilot routes from the mainland to the Wadden Sea
islands, practical test trips with a test ship and the development and utilisation
of artificial intelligence (AI).
A consortium of nine project partners was put together for Ferry Go!,
consisting of Wadden Sea shipping companies, innovative development companies,
transfer organisations and a research institute, supplemented by associated
partners. In a workplan consisting of 15 workpackages, the project partners
will work closely together to develop the necessary steps for autonomous ferry
transport in the Wadden Sea. In addition to technological issues, this also
includes legal, economic and logistical requirements as well as questions of
human-machine interaction and acceptance by passengers and staff.
The expected results of Ferry Go! should form
the basis for investment decisions in (partially) autonomous ferries for future
island transport, also beyond the participating shipping companies. The planned
involvement of all stakeholders responsible for future autonomous ferry
transport in the Wadden Sea is essential for this.
