The MF Estelle, the world’s first autonomous electric ferry, has successfully completed its maiden voyage in Stockholm.
Launched by Norway’s ferry builder Brødrene Aa, the 12-meter-long MF Estelle has been operational since June 2023, and its recent trial journey represents a breakthrough in autonomous navigation. The ferry crossed Lake Mälaren, a large bay in Stockholm, without any human assistance on board, traveling between the islands of Kungsholmen and Södermalm. The ferry’s voyage was remotely controlled from Trondheim, Norway, 373 miles (600 kilometers) away, demonstrating the capabilities of remote navigation technologies.
According to Håkan Burden, a senior researcher at the RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, the trial aimed to prove whether the ferry could operate autonomously with just a push of a button from a distant location. “The trial was the first ever of its kind and showed that it is possible. In this way, we can learn together and create a market for smart ships,” Burden noted.
The MF Estelle is a showcase of sustainable design. Owned by Norway’s transportation company Torghatten Midt, the ferry is constructed using carbon fiber, reducing its weight and optimizing energy efficiency during voyages. Powered by electricity from solar panels onboard, the ferry’s propulsion system is fully green.
A key component of its operation is the autonomous navigation system developed by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. To ensure safe and efficient navigation, the ferry is equipped with an array of high-tech sensors, including radar, lidar, ultrasonic sensors, cameras, AI, and GPS. Although an operator is currently onboard during operations, the goal is for the ferry to be entirely self-driving, monitored remotely from land in the future.
This trial represents an effort by Torghatten and autonomous solutions provider Zeabuz. Stockholm, a city with a rich history of pushing urban mobility boundaries, was chosen as the perfect setting to test this groundbreaking technology.
“We aim to change the way we think about mobility by creating shortcuts in cities, utilizing urban waterways as virtual bridges,” said Erik Dyrkoren, CEO of Zeabuz.
Zeabuz and its partners, including the Ports of Stockholm, RISE, and mobile network provider Tele2, plan to further enhance the ferry’s capabilities by incorporating 5G technology for two-way communication between the ferry and the control center. This effort is part of the PLUZ project (Policy Lab Urban Zjöfart), which is focused on developing sustainable urban waterways.
The success of MF Estelle has generated interest beyond Stockholm. Haugesund municipality in Norway signed an agreement in August 2024 with Zeabuz and Torghatten to launch a fully autonomous, emissions-free city boat in 2025.
“Hopefully, it can show prospective partners how the future on seas could look like,” Brødrene Aa remarked.