Germany permits inland remote-control navigation tests

Effective immediately, HGK Shipping can operate the first such vessel in remote-control test mode for six months, following a successful test run in early May supervised by the federal waterways authority (WSV). This permit covers the shipping area from Scharnebeck to Salzgitter and was officially granted by Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder during an industry event in Berlin.

Steffen Bauer, CEO of HGK Shipping, highlighted that in partnership with SEAFAR operating a Remote Operations Center in Duisburg the project aims to modernize the inland shipping fleet and increase digitalization. 

We are also focusing on increasing the digitalization of inland shipping by modernizing our fleet of ships. When recruiting qualified employees, this is an effective method for increasing the attractiveness of the profession,

… said Steffen Bauer, CEO of HGK Shipping, emphasizing the motive behind this project.

Minister Schnieder emphasized the importance of addressing the looming skilled labor shortage in inland shipping, which remains Germany’s transport mode with spare capacity. He sees pilot projects like remote-controlled vessels as potential game changers, urging for the technology to move quickly from development to practical use on the water.

Autonomous ships represent a significant advancement in the field of maritime transportation and have the potential to revolutionise the shipping industry in several ways. MSC 108 (15 to 24 May 2024) agreed to the revise the Road Map for the development of a MASS Code, as follows: 

• May 2025 – finalize and adopt non-mandatory MASS Code  
• First half of 2026 – develop framework for an experience-building phase (EPB) 
• 2028 – commence development of the mandatory MASS Code, based on the non-mandatory Code, and consider amendments to SOLAS (new chapter) for the Code’s adoption 
• By 1 July 2030 – adoption of the mandatory Code, for entry into force on 1 Jan 2032