The Autonomous Electric barge has been developed and ready. The main players required on the project were companies with todays most advanced technology and future technology near completion.
To make the project a success on paper, advanced batteries were implemented to extend the vessel lifespan, and the journey time/distance. It also required highly technical advances in Shore Side charging, with the vessel having ability to self dock at the charging station.
The next challenge was to acquire a software that will enable a barge to navigate the European waterways in an Autonomous mode.
Once the future technology and equipment was selected, MBM Shipdesign had to implement these into a completely new layout of compartments, space allocations and weight distribution.
CEO of MBM ShipDesign, Mr Mark Bambury stated –
„This type of vessel is completely new. There are no complete set of Class rules. The vessel basic design had many challenges to make the Autonomous barge vessel operationally efficient. This included but was not limited new internal structural sections, and stability considerations. The project is absolutely futuristic and when it is implemented it will send a 100 year wave through the Inland and coastal shipping world.“
