Peel completes autonomous vessel trial
(Posted on 28/03/21)
Peel Ports is the first Port group in the United Kingdom to take delivery of an autonomous unmanned survey vessel, which completed its first successful trial at Crosby Marine Lake, North of Liverpool last week.
Peel Ports offered Sefton Council the first trial of FITZROY’s services which provided hydrographic charts of Crosby Marine Lake, located a short distance from The Port of Liverpool. Its survey capabilities were able to provide valuable data of the lakebed which will feed into the upcoming planned dredging operations.
The trial also provided assurance to Peel Ports that the quality of the data is equal to that of previous surveys conducted by manned vessels.
Developed by L3 Harris and featuring pioneering technology, the 4.5m vessel, named FITZROY, weighs 1 tonne and carries multibeam sonar equipment capable of hi resolution seafloor mapping down to 100m.
It is designed to provide autonomous solutions to improve working efficiency on the water in order to gather data about the marine environment and can be used for hydrology research, scientific exploration, hydrographic survey, emergency search and rescue and other tasks. It uses GPS location tracking to follow pre-set waypoints and mission parameters, navigating autonomously while intelligently avoiding obstacles up to 50m ahead. The vessel communicates to the remote base station by WIFI, 4g and VHF radio.
Russell Bird, Deputy Group Harbour Master said “This recent investment show Peel Port’s commitment to innovation in the marine environment whilst reducing emissions and enhancing safety. The use of autonomous and remote vehicles is growing exponentially and we are delighted to be leading that charge in the Ports sector”
FITZROY’s remote capability presents many benefits including the removal of high-risk activities generally associated with crew working aboard small survey vessel in dynamic marine environments. Its compact features will also facilitate its transportation to the Group’s multiple port locations across the UK, and will make her maiden voyage to Great Yarmouth next week.
Latest News
Dry bulk increases again in North Sea Port
(Posted on 20/01/25)In 2024, the North Sea Port companies recorded a volume of 66.3 million tons of seaborne cargo transhipment... Read more
AD Ports to invest in Sarzha Grain Terminal in Kazakhstan
(Posted on 20/01/25)AD Ports Group, a leading facilitator of global trade, logistics, and industry based in Abu Dhabi, has... Read more
Leading Vietnamese seaport makes impression at 12th PorTech Asia Summit
(Posted on 17/01/25)Long An International Port has made its inaugural appearance at the 12th PorTech Asia Summit 2025 and... Read more
Rhenus becomes majority shareholder of Bulk Cargo – Port Szczecin
(Posted on 10/01/25)Germany based Rhenus Group has acquired an additional 58,5 percent of shares in the Polish port operation... Read more
AD Ports closes strong year of growth
(Posted on 07/01/25)AD Ports Group has solidified its position as a leading facilitator of global trade and logistics through... Read more
Mukran Port starts 2025 with new management
(Posted on 07/01/25)Mukran Port has welcomed Henry Forster as the new Managing Director of Faehrhafen Sassnitz GmbH. Ines... Read more
EIB provides €80m loan for Bilbao expansion and electrification
(Posted on 17/12/24)The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed an €80 million loan with the Port Authority of Bilbao... Read more
Steel supplier Outokumpu invests €40m at Mukran Port
(Posted on 11/12/24)Mukran Port on the island of Rügen, Germany, has gained a strategically important partner for the... Read more
AD Ports consolidates digital capabilities into Maqta Technologies Group
(Posted on 11/12/24)Abu Dhabi based AD Ports Group a leading enabler of global trade, logistics, and industry, has announced... Read more
Haivanship expands operations into northern Vietnam
(Posted on 04/12/24)Leading Vietnamese maritime-logistics operator Haivanship (HVS) is growing its Konecranes fleet with... Read more
