STOCKHOLM
Stockholm is the most progressive city in Scandinavia on micro-mobility. Here you find Zeam –Zero Emission Autonomous Mobility – that operates the world’s first commercial electric, self-driving passenger ferry MF Estelle across Riddarfjärden in downtown Stockholm. MF Estelle is a sustainable and green pioneer, offering a solution to traffic congestion and inspiring alternative modes of transportation. Brought about by a consortium of Norwegian shipping company Torghatten AS and the autonomy provider Zeabuz AS.
Project Background
ZEAM Riddarfjärden
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Zeam started the world's first commercial autonomous ferry service on June 8th, 2023. The ferry MF Estelle transports passengers between Kungsholmen and Södermalm in Stockholm every day, operating 15 hours daily. Zeam employs technology to make the electric, self-driving ferry a reality. The development of this public transport has taken place in collaboration with the company Zeabuz – a spin-off from the research Center for autonomous marine operations and systems (AMOS) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology – and its technology is in use for the autonomous lean crewed ferry. Radars, lidars, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, GPS and autonomy computer are installed in the ferry to help the vessel navigate through the water by scanning the environment, making smart decisions on its movement, and ensuring a safe docking sequence takes place.
About the Ferry line
Stockholm, June 8, 2023: MF Estelle was inaugurated and christened at Norr Mälarstrand in Stockholm, where the ferry line is in regular operation.
The ferry line line runs between Södermalm and Kungsholmen, with up to 120 daily trips and a capacity of 24 passengers for each trip. The electric autonomous ferry provides the service with crew onboard for the first phase of the operation, but the aim is to operate the ferry line unmanned and with onshore supervision in 2024. Zeabuz is on a mission to make waterborne mobility sustainable, safe, and profitable. The company provides a suite of adaptable autonomy solutions that offer optimized vessel operations and innovative human-machine cooperation. The Zeabuz’s product line is built on a flexible and modular system architecture, enabling adaptation to specific segments, vessel types, and operations.
This remarkable venture aims to create a network of ferries, utilizing waterways to alleviate road congestion and promote affordable, environmentally friendly, and safe urban mobility. Torghatten, supported by Zeabuz’s cutting-edge technology, envisions a future where autonomous ferries, operating under the brand name Zeam (Zero Emission Autonomous Mobility), seamlessly connect neighborhoods and cities worldwide. Zeabuz’s contribution includes advanced autonomous technology and ensuring the ferry operates efficiently and securely.
Building for the future
MF Estelle is designed and built by Brødrene Aa and has already sparked great interest worldwide. The ferry is built in carbon fiber at their shipyard in Hyen.
- The development and production of MF Estelle has been a process of great learning for Brødrene Aa. Cooperations like these keep us staying one step ahead when it comes to technological innovations. Hopefully it can show prospective partners how the future on seas could look like, Aa explains.
- By the year 2030, Stockholm aims to become a climate-positive city. This ferry route not only opens up new opportunities for transportation between Kungsholmen and Södermalm but also serves as a prime example of how new technology can be utilized and how different modes of transport can adapt and contribute to a sustainable city.
Karin Wanngård, Finance Mayor of Stockholm
-We aim to radically change the way we think about mobility by creating shortcuts in cities, utilizing urban waterways as virtual bridges, enabled by the Zeabuz autonomy solutions. Our collaboration with Torghatten seeks to connectcommunities affordably and sustainably, not only in Stockholm but in the large number of cities with navigable waters worldwide. The launch of this service marks a significant step towards realizing this vision.
Erik Dyrkoren, CEO
- We consider autonomous technology a great leap forward for maritime innovation. Not with the main intention of creating driverless solutions, but by implementing autonomous systems that increases the security for staff and passengers on board.
Tor Øyvin Aa, CEO Brødrene Aa.
– Estelle is a sustainable and green pioneer, offering a solution to traffic congestion and inspiring alternative modes of transportation. With its electric, self-driving capabilities and advanced digital security, Estelle sets the stage for future advancements in the industry. We are incredibly proud to be part of this historic moment, launching the world’s first commercial, emission-free, electric, autonomous passenger ferry right in the heart of a Scandinavian metropolis.
Stein Andre Herigstad-Olsen, CEO of Torghatten AS
Project partners - Operator, technology providers and ship builder
