The MS Letitia (HTS Group) has completed an autonomous sailing demonstration in Rotterdam, sailing from Amaliahaven on the Maasvlakte via Europoort and the Nieuwe Waterweg to Waalhaven.
The conventionally powered inland container vessel carried out a series of autonomous manoeuvres during the trial, including undocking, transiting through port waters and river sections, and docking without manual control.
Throughout the voyage, onboard systems continuously monitored the surrounding environment, detecting nearby traffic and executing collision-avoidance actions when required.
While the vessel operated autonomously, the skipper retained ultimate responsibility and remained able to intervene at any time, with the system functioning as a navigational and decision-support tool rather than a fully unmanned solution.
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Oscar van Veen, Director of Innovation at the Port of Rotterdam Authority, said: “Autonomous sailing enables new logistics concepts that improve the flexibility, efficiency and reliability of inland shipping, which is an important hinterland transport modality for the Port of Rotterdam.
“Containers, bulk and liquids transported via inland waterway reduce pressure on the road network and are moved more energy-efficiently than by road. With the growth in freight throughput, it is essential that inland shipping maintains and expands its share of freight transport. Autonomous sailing could play a role in this.”
The demonstration forms part of wider European efforts to advance digital and automated transport systems, with ports increasingly positioned as testbeds for applied maritime innovation linked to decarbonisation and operational efficiency.
The trial is part of the MAGPIE project, which aims to accelerate the deployment of smart and sustainable port technologies across Europe.
Autonomous navigation is one of 10 demonstrator projects under MAGPIE, spanning maritime, inland waterway, rail and road transport applications.
Project partners Alphatron Marine, Argonics and Argonav are integrating elements of the demonstration into commercial assistance systems for inland vessels.
The argoPositionPilot system is already available for vessels with fixed propeller and rudder configurations, while argoRadarPilot is being developed to visualise vessel intentions and incorporate collision detection capabilities.
The project is intended to translate trial-based innovation into operational tools that can support safer and more efficient inland shipping, particularly in congested European waterways where capacity and emissions pressures are increasing.
For more information:
Port of Rotterdam – https://www.portofrotterdam.com/en
