By
Laura Hyde |
Shipping Technology, Retina and shipbuilder Scylla have successfully completed the first-ever autonomous dock2dock voyage – from undocking in Hardinxveld-Giessendam to docking in Gorinchem in the Netherlands – onboard Scylla’s new passenger vessel Lumière.
Retina’s M-Pilot manoeuvring system and Shipping Technology’s ST BRAIN and Autonomous Lane Assist (ALA) enabled the river cruise ship to undock, sail and dock autonomously, all while under the supervision of the ship’s captain. The Retina M-Pilot system controlled both the thrusters and the engines, while Shipping Technology’s ST BRAIN and ALA guided the ship along the optimal route, automatically managing rudder and pod movements. The real-world conditions throughout the route included a gale-force crosswind of Beaufort 8.
“This is particularly relevant for vessels with Z-drives,” said Tom Panjer, founder of Retina. “The system measures what happens 10 times per second, allowing controlled and safe operations. Experienced captains will have more time for other tasks; less experienced crew will feel better supported. Also, and let me be very clear about this: reliable data is essential, but people must stay in control.”
From left: Shipping Technology’s Remko Pikaart, Scylla’s Robert Reitsma, Shipping Technology’s David Woundernberg and Retina’s Tom Panjer onboard Lumière following the successful ‘dock2dock’ voyage
“We’re proving that autonomous technology is no longer futuristic – it’s happening now – safely, efficiently and sustainably,” said David Woudenberg, head of product development at Shipping Technology. “It’s not about removing the captain; it’s about giving crews smarter tools for safer and more efficient navigation. And about reducing fuel consumption.”
Lumière, which is chartered and operated by Tauck, entered service in early October. Following the success of the ‘dock2dock’ voyage, guests, partners and media joined the crew onboard for networking and discussions on the future of smart navigation.
“There’s a lot of talk about autonomous sailing, but very little real demonstration, and most of that is about remote-controlled navigation,” said Panjer. “That’s why this showcase matters. Normally, captains turn off their track pilot when approaching or leaving a berth –-now, that process itself can be automated, with the captain staying fully in charge. It means more focus on navigation, less on manual controls, and a big step toward practical autonomy.”
Woudenberg added: “I’m proud of our team and of showing what’s possible when companies focus on collaboration and learning, rather than on perceived future challenges.”