Kungsholmen – Södermalm in six minutes by ferry? At the beginning of the summer, Stockholmers will be able to travel across Riddarfjärden with the world's first self-driving ferry, powered entirely by electricity. Dagens Nyheter reports today.
- We will operate in the quay area below the Münchenbryggeriet on Söder Mälarstrand and over to Kungsholmstorg, says Reidun Svarva, business area manager at the Norwegian shipping company Torghatten AS, which is behind the initiative.
Previously, SL Line 85 – ”Riddarfjärdslinjen” operated on the route that looks set to receive the new ferry from Norway. The idea is to operate two of the Riddarfjärdslinjen’s three stops from spring 2023.
The idea of autonomous city ferries was started at the Norwegian University of Technology, NTNU, in Trondheim. Based on the researchers' results, the company Zeabuz was founded, in which Torghatten AS is a partner. The aim is to create more sustainable urban mobility.
- Many large cities around the world have problems with congestion, lack of capacity and environmental and air pollution. Self-driving technology will be part of the solution and be good for both the climate and people, continues Reidun Svarva.
“Stockholm first”
Torghatten AS has the ambition to expand the concept to more parts of the world, but for Stockholm to be the first city to have a self-driving and electric boat.
- Stockholm's unique water environment makes the city perfect for being the first to launch the technology. Instead of being barriers, the water surfaces will stitch the city together and become a shortcut for all Stockholmers, says Svarva.
Torghatten also assures that the technology with a self-driving boat is tested and safe. Initially, an operator on board will ensure that everything goes as it should during the crossing, says Svarva.
- With 150 years of experience and tested technology, Stockholmers can be confident that we will carry this out safely.
The date for the inauguration and start of traffic will be announced later by Torghatten.
According to the press release.
