Rolls-Royce and Svitzer demonstrate world’s first remotely operated commercial vessel

Svitzer´s 28m long Svitzer Hermod is said to have undertaken a number of remotely controlled manoeuvres earlier in the year.

From the quay side in Copenhagen harbour the vessel’s captain, stationed at the vessel’s remote base at Svitzer headquarters, berthed the vessel alongside the quay, undocked, turned 360⁰, and piloted it to the Svitzer HQ, before docking again.

The companies will continue their cooperation to test remote and autonomous operations for vessels with primary systems made up of autonomous navigation, situational awareness, the remote control centre and communication.

Built to a Robert Allan ship design, the Svitzer Hermod is equipped with a Rolls-Royce Dynamic Positioning System, which is the key link to the remote controlled system and helps the vessel to automatically maintain its position or heading by using its propellers, rudders and thrusters. The vessel is also equipped with two Rolls-Royce MTU 16V4000 M63 diesel engines each rated 2000kW at 1800rpm.