Lavik – Oppedal is the ninth largest ferry connection in Norway with 1.2 million cars transported in 2022.

The contract involves the development of fully automated solutions for all four ferries from 2027 onwards.

The contract describes 23 different functions to be automated, and the sum of these functions means that the ferries will carry out route production by themselves.

In addition, a control centre must be established on land, for monitoring and the possibility of remote control of the ferries. 

Managing Director of Fjord1, Dagfinn Neteland is pleased that the agreement has now been signed, and looks forward to developing new world-leading technology with fully autonomous ferries:

- This is a new step in the direction of increased automation within the maritime sector, and there are of course high expectations and prestige in such a contract. We are very happy that the contract has been awarded, and it is with great pride that we are now taking on the challenge. Here, the transfer value of new technology to other parts of the shipping industry can be large in the long term, says Neteland.

Department director ferries in the Norwegian Road Administration, Dag Hole, is proud that the Norwegian Road Administration is once again using purchasing power for restructuring.

- We have a tradition of using our role as a multibillion-dollar buyer to accelerate development in order to reach the goals set for the transport sector. In the past, this has, among other things, been about zero emissions. Now it's about automated functions, and once again it's happening on the Lavik-Oppedal ferry connection, says Hole.

What we achieve here, in collaboration with Fjord1, will be able to help navigate the course for further digitization and automation in upcoming contract announcements both at the national road ferry association and in the maritime industry elsewhere, he adds.

- The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has a tradition of using new technology to carry out our mission in a better way, for the good of society, the climate and road users. We want to continue with that, and what we achieve here, says Dag Hole.

The association will be commissioned with four new zero-emission vessels with 120 car capacities. In addition to the environmental aspect of the contract, there will be more frequent departures compared to the current offer. 

© Shippax