A new project is being developed to enable the uptake of autonomous shipping. Namely, the Hull to Hull (H2H) project is developing a system to allow maritime vessels to navigate safely near to each other and to stationary objects, and creating the conditions for autonomous maritime navigation.
Funded by the European GNSS Agency (GSA) under Horizon 2020, the H2H system will combine sensor information with 3D models to create digital models of vessels and other objects of interest. This digital model can be visualized by the operator in 3D, or in 2D format, and used to produce crucial navigation information in real time.
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The H2H approach will enable operators to establish proximity zones for their own vessels and for neighbouring objects with a high level of precision and integrity.
To provide the required relative position measurements, the project will use EGNSS – in particular the accuracy offered by Galileo’s dual frequency and multi-constellation capacity. This will be enhanced by data gathered from a variety of sensors, including IMU, AIS, LIDAR, RADAR, cameras and other proximity sensors.
The project’s partners are Kongsberg Seatex, a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime; SINTEF Ocean and SINTEF Digital for broad research-based expertise; KU Leuven; and Mampaey Offshore Industries, a Dutch company specialized in towing, berthing and mooring systems.
If autonomous ships are to be approved for commercial use, they will need to be at least as safe as conventional vehicles performing similar functions. This will require an open standard, high speed, reliable communication link to securely exchange navigation data. The project will define a framework for safe hull-to-hull navigation and propose changes to existing standards and regulations
The three-year project started in Prague in December 2017. A first project workshop took place on 7- 9 May 2018 during Ocean Week in Trondheim, Norway.
