Remote-controlled inland waterway vessels: Autonomous driving on the water soon?

The Directorate-General for Waterways and Shipping (GDWS) has granted HGK Shipping the first licence for the test operation of a remote-controlled inland waterway vessel in the German canal network. With immediate effect, the coupled convoy consisting of the units "Niedersachsen 2" and "Hannover" is authorised to operate remotely on the route between Scharnebeck and Salzgitter for six months. The authorisation follows a successful test run at the beginning of May on a section of the route that has now been approved. Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder personally presented the authorisation to HGK Shipping CEO Steffen Bauer at an industry event in Berlin.

Challenges of inland navigation

At the handover ceremony, Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder emphasised the importance of such innovations for the future of the industry: "Inland navigation is facing enormous challenges. The increasing shortage of skilled labour in the near future in particular must not become a stumbling block for this hidden champion of transport modes." He pointed out that inland waterways are the only mode of transport with free capacity in Germany. Pilot projects such as the remote-controlled coupling could therefore become a "game changer". Schnieder emphasised: "The approval procedures are in place, now it's time to get the technology out of the lab and onto the water and into action."

Inland waterway vessels of the future: focus on safety

Eric Oehlmann, Head of GDWS, emphasised the careful examination of all legal requirements, particularly with regard to safety.

Inland skippers have a responsible job. They are not always able to intervene in time to prevent damage. In some cases, remote control might even have prevented worse:

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The coupled inland vessel can now be operated remotely from the control centre in Duisburg. Oehlmann sees GDWS as a pioneer: "GDWS is setting a good example of how innovation in inland shipping can be driven forward together and at speed." He was delighted that HGK Shipping has been granted the first German licence for the remote-controlled operation of an inland waterway vessel in accordance with the Inland Waterways Ordinance.

Digitalisation as the answer to skills shortages

HGK Shipping has long relied on SEAFAR technology to counter the shortage of skilled skippers. CEO Steffen Bauer explained: "Together with our technology partner SEAFAR, which operates a so-called Remote Operations Center in Duisburg, we are also focusing on increasing the digitalisation of inland shipping by modernising our fleet of ships." This is an important lever for increasing the attractiveness of the profession and attracting qualified labour. Bauer hopes to be able to move on to the next stage soon after the test phase and operate with a reduced crew.

Gradual introduction of the technology

A full crew is still on board the ship during the current test phase. The remote control system was previously used on the Rhine on a trial basis with a Belgian licence, but also with a full crew on board. The next step would be to operate the retrofitted ships with a reduced crew. The aim is to deploy personnel more flexibly and allow the skippers more time ashore. This technology has already proven its worth in other European countries, particularly Belgium and the Netherlands.

With around 350 shipping units, HGK Shipping is one of the leading inland shipping companies in Europe. The company has been consistently focusing on digitalisation for years and transports liquid chemicals, bulk goods and general cargo, among other things.