Berne, 07 April 2022 – Fassmer supports the research on autonomous shipping with an all-electric boat made of aluminum. On Wednesday the Berne-based company delivered the research platform that will be used for testings of innovative maritime systems to the institute “Systems Engineering für zukünftige Mobilität” with is part of Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR).
“Since the beginning of this year we at the new DLR institute research on the complex topic of the reliability of highly automated and autonomous systems” explains Prof. Axel Hahn, director of the DLR-institute Systems Engineering für zukünftige Mobilität. “With our new research boat we are equipped with another test platform within our maritime test field eMIR. The constructive cooperation and the good communication with Fassmer prior and during the building phase led to a boat that is tailored ideally to our needs.”
The boat type RHB 8.0 is an eight-meter long custom product and was developed specifically for the unique requirements of research. It is very maneuverable and can even turn on the spot. Depending on the project objective the research platform can be equipped with special sensors. Specific modules allow to operate the boat entirely from land for example to test berthing maneuvers. Additionally to the focus of autonomous shipping the boat will also be used for field trials of new regulations and the simulation of navigational properties of vessels.
„We are very happy to be part of this great project and to contribute a key element to the research on autonomous shipping. The knowledge that will be gained with this boat will of course be of great interest for us as a shipyard” says Jan Henkel, head of Fassmer Maritime.
The two 360-degree rotatable pod drives are battery-powered and have a range of more than two hours at a constant speed of six knots. Besides four people, the deckhouse offers space for workstations as well as tools and electronics. The boat is designed for one-day trips in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Fassmer is a dynamic family-owned shipyard in its fifth generation. The internationally successful company is active in six business areas: Shipbuilding, Boats and Davits, Deck Equipment, Wind Power, Composite Technology and Fassmer Service.
Our clients appreciate the close cooperation with research institutes, innovative in-house design and engineering, modern production facilities and a worldwide service network.
