Ice-class passenger ferry Suomenlinna II was remotely piloted through test area near Helsinki harbor.

This year ABB also collaborated with Cochin Shipyard Ltd, the largest shipbuilding and maintenance facility in India to deliver a first-ever integrated power and automation package. In line with ABB's "Electric. Digital. Connected." approach that envisages shipping's digital and connected future, these ferries will have the capability to leverage the ABB Ability™ Remote Diagnostic Services for Marine, should they opt to join ABB's global Collaborative Operations network. The network uses remote equipment monitoring and data analytics to enable predictive maintenance, planned interventions or even remote technical support, supported from seven existing shore-based ABB Marine & Ports' Collaborative Operations Centers staffed by ABB experts.

Suomenlinna II was retrofitted with ABB's new dynamic positioning system, ABB Ability™ Marine Pilot Control, and steered from a control center in Helsinki.

Speaking after the voyage, Captain Lasse Heinonen said: "The progress we have made with the remote trial has been remarkable. I believe we are on the right track to exploring further possibilities of this technology as we move forward."

This breakthrough trial represents a crucial step toward increasing the maritime industry's acceptance of autonomous operation systems. Autonomous solutions are expected to transform international shipping in the coming decades as the industry recovers from the downturn caused by the 2008 financial crisis. Global demand for maritime transport has grown by 30 percent over the past decade, according to the International Chamber of Shipping data, while more than 10 billion tons of cargo are now transported by sea every year.

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