SEAMLESS insights shared at NFEA “Avanserte fartøy 2026” in Norway
- 26/03/2026
On 11–12 March 2026, SEAMLESS was featured at the NFEA conference “Avanserte fartøy” in Norway, where Roger Trinterud (Massterly) delivered a presentation on the operation of autonomous and remotely controlled vessels.
The presentation provided valuable insights into the practical deployment of autonomous shipping, drawing on Massterly’s operational experience and its role as a joint venture between Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen. Emphasis was placed on the growing maturity of autonomous vessel operations and the importance of integrating advanced technologies with real-world logistics and maritime operations.
A key focus of the presentation was the evolution from early pilot projects, such as the Yara Birkeland, towards scalable and commercially viable solutions. Lessons learned highlighted the importance of simplification before automation, the critical role of system integration, and the need for strong collaboration with authorities from early development stages through to certification.
The presentation also showcased operational experiences from autonomous and remotely controlled vessels such as ASKO Marit and Therese, underlining both the challenges encountered – such as unexpected system errors and communication complexities – and the significant progress achieved, with operations reaching near full production capacity under defined conditions.
Another key takeaway was the central role of Remote Operation Centres (ROC), which enable safe and efficient vessel control from shore. However, experience has shown that beyond hardware, robust supporting software and user-centric design are essential to ensure operability and scalability.
The presentation further highlighted the importance of a holistic logistics perspective, where port automation is considered as critical as vessel autonomy for achieving overall system efficiency and productivity.
Finally, SEAMLESS was presented as a concrete example of how these elements come together in an integrated logistics chain. The project demonstrates end-to-end operations, combining inland and maritime transport, autonomous vessels, remote operations, and digital solutions to enable seamless, efficient, and sustainable cargo flows across Europe.
This participation reinforces SEAMLESS’ role at the forefront of innovation in autonomous and digitally integrated waterborne logistics, contributing to the transition towards smarter and more sustainable transport systems.
