- Alewijnse contributes its 135 years of electrical integration expertise to the project.
- Sustainability is a core focus, with Alewijnse working on alternative fuel solutions.
- Rapid innovation and collaboration are key factors driving the F.A.S.T. project’s success.
Autonomous sailing is almost here and will present great profit in efficiency, sustainability, and safety. This, too, solves the issue of the shortage of crew. Alewijnse is relentlessly proud to be a participant in the F.A.S.T. project, which will include the development of the autonomous ship technology using the Damen Stan Patrol 900 patrol boat, reports Alewijnse.
Cooperation Among the Industries
Seas are ready for the advent of unmanned, autonomous ships. Governments, research institutions, and companies join forces in developing the technology, while classification societies and the IMO modernize regulations to endorse the cause of worldwide autonomous sailing.
Initial stage of the Great Scale Autonomous Shipping Future
Outsourced by Damen Naval, the Province of Zeeland, the Municipality of Vlissingen, HZ University of Applied Sciences, TU Delft, and other companies within the framework of the F.A.S.T. project, Alewijnse is sharing its unique know-how as an electrical system integrator in making the test platform for it, which a remotely operated vessel would work within the Port of Vlissingen.
Modification of the Damen Stan Patrol 900
The test ship, the Damen Stan Patrol 900, is an 8.6-meter polycat dating from 1990 and capable of achieving 40 km/h. Changes on board include substitution of the propelling diesel engines with significantly more powerful electric motors. A host of advanced cameras will also be rigged, including sensors, radar, Lidar, GPS, and measuring instruments for wind and speed that will act as the ”ears and eyes” of the autonomous helmsman.
Innovation Through Experimentation
“It’s best to use an existing vessel as a test model,” says Eef Uittenbogaard, project manager at Alewijnse. “It’s just like it was with the first remotely controlled cars, which were often developed using existing vehicles. You can experiment with this prototype ship and discover which applications for autonomous sailing work best in practice.”
Alewijnse’s Role as a Co-Creator
“As a co-creator, Alewijnse is excited to contribute to the electrical scope of the project,” continues Eef Uittenbogaard. “With our 135 years of expertise and experience, we can collaborate with Damen and provide the complete package, from engineering and panel construction to the efficient placement of electrical components for propulsion and energy supply.”
A Driving Force Behind Innovation
Alewijnse stands as a committed partner of sustainability and innovation. Going beyond the F.A.S.T. project, Alewijnse is now developing electric and hybrid propulsion technologies for superyachts, naval ships, dredgers, and offshore vessels. They are also incorporating very specific alternative fuel resources- such as hydrogen (installed on Hydrocat), methanol (installed on Fugro Pioneer), and LNG (installed on the Samuel de Champlain)-to reach their sustainability goals.
A Glimpse Into the Future
“It’s the combination of innovation, close collaboration with the client, and the speed at which we adapt,” concludes Eef. “This is truly a ‘fast’ project. As a company, we are contributing to progressive, rapid developments that will benefit not only the maritime industry but also the world.”
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Source: Alewijnse
