The centre leverages modern IT infrastructure that enables captains to remotely navigate inland waterway vessels using control systems.
Belgian tech firm SEAFAR, specializing in remote-controlled inland navigation, has launched Germany’s first Remote Operations Centre in collaboration with HGK Shipping and Reederei Deymann.
The center in Duisburg, officially opened on February 28th, allows remote vessel control on inland waterways. The center aims to address the issue of skilled personnel shortage.
SEAFAR is working to leverage existing permits for the Lower Rhine trial and designate additional waterways, including sections of the canal in northwest Germany, the Mittellandkanal, and other parts of the Rhine for the solution.
A similar crew-reduced concept is already being used in Belgium and the Netherlands for various types of inland waterways, and some of those will be managed from the new SEAFAR site in Duisburg-Ruhrort.
“Expanding into the inland waterways of Europe’s largest economy marks a significant milestone for our company,” says Janis Bargsten, Chief Commercial Officer at SEAFAR.
“In collaboration with our partners HGK Shipping and Reederei Deymann, who have collectively equipped five vessels for this project so far, we aim to contribute substantially to modernizing transportation and the profession.”
The center in Duisburg hosts three workstations for remote control operators, acting as skippers, and one workstation for the traffic controller, overseeing vessel movements in the background and serving as a primary point of contact.
The centre leverages modern IT infrastructure that enables captains to remotely navigate inland waterway vessels using control systems modeled on a driver’s cab, alongside an extensive camera network.
“Meeting ambitious climate targets in the coming years and decades necessitates a significant shift towards inland shipping and waterway freight transport,” emphasizes Steffen Bauer, CEO of HGK Shipping.
“Under the banner of ‘More climate protection despite a shortage of skilled workers,’ this technological advancement, enabling partial ship control from shore-based operations centers, is poised to secure long-term transport solutions via this vital mode of transit.”
Martin Deymann, Managing Director of Reederei Deymann, noted that the remote control operation can help overcome the challenges of attracting new talent to the industry and make the profession more appealing.
“The improved work-life balance afforded by working closer to home serves as a compelling incentive to either remain or enter the field of inland navigation. The Remote Operations Centre, coupled with increased digitalization, will inject much-needed vitality into this longstanding profession,” he said.
Project partners are working with relevant authorities and agencies to gradually expand necessary licenses for operation across Germany’s inland waterway network.
