Feasibility study for unmanned ferry service for Levanger – Ytterøy: Technical requirements, Retrofit opportunities and Safety Considerations

Abstract

As unmanned ships undergo global field testing, assessing their technical maturity and regulatory readiness is crucial. This study focuses specifically on the Levanger-Ytterøy ferry service, evaluating the technical and regulatory feasibility of unmanned operation for passenger ferries. The analysis covers three operational phases (at port, near port, and coastal sailing) and five key functionalities: navigation and control, engine room operation, communication, mooring, and car and passenger handling. The results show that some potential exists to automated certain functions to offload crew. But to achieve fully unmanned operation, the construction of a purpose-built vessel is necessary, where risk analysis determines required system redundancies and where the design minimizes the need for repair and maintenance. A significant challenge lies in digitally replacing the physical handling of passengers and vehicles. The insights presented in this report contribute to a broader understanding of the feasibility and challenges associated with unmanned passenger ferry operation.