Skills shortages, increasingly extreme weather events and rising sustainability requirements pose major challenges for inland waterway shipping. This is where the research vessel NOVA comes into play: the floating development platform is designed to drive technological change in inland waterway shipping.
At the end of 2020, the Development Centre for Ship Technology and Transport Systems (DST) in Duisburg came up with the idea of creating a flexible research vessel that could test both automated driving functions and alternative propulsion concepts under real-life conditions. In collaboration with the University of Duisburg-Essen, the hull shapes were optimised on the basis of simulation-supported designs and then validated in a towing tank before the ship was built and equipped with extensive sensor technology. NOVA became operational at the beginning of 2025.
‘NOVA was conceived as an infrastructure project for research and development,’ explains Frédérick Kracht of DST. The focus is on automating driving and navigation processes to reduce the workload on the crew and cut emissions. At the same time, NOVA serves as a test platform for the transition from diesel-based propulsion to electric and renewable energy solutions. ‘The ship is powered entirely by batteries, enabling realistic investigations into range, energy requirements and operating strategies,’ explains Kracht.
Degrees of automation: Levels 2 to 3
As a research vessel, NOVA is currently focusing on automation levels 2 and, in the future, 3, based on the levels defined by the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine (CCNR), which are comparable to the SAE levels used in the automotive sector. The current focus is on enabling the ship to follow a specified route autonomously, maintain a stable position and reliably perceive its surroundings. This includes detecting other traffic participants, manoeuvring safely in traffic and automated processes such as docking and undocking or entering and exiting locks. ‘Our goal is to lay the foundation for higher levels of automation, in which humans are increasingly relieved of the burden of constant monitoring,’ says Kracht.
Extensive sensor technology
An essential prerequisite for this is the extensive sensor technology on board NOVA. Several camera systems, including stereo, infrared and wide-angle cameras, are combined with LIDAR, radar and navigation sensors. This sensor fusion enables high-resolution environmental perception and provides the data basis for AI models and assistance algorithms. The collected data is recorded, annotated and evaluated both in real-world driving tests and with the aid of a digital twin. New functions can thus be tested virtually before they are implemented on board and tested under real-world conditions.
A key advantage of NOVA is its operational availability. As a catamaran, it can be operated with an inland motorboat licence, which significantly reduces the organisational effort compared to commercial shipping. This makes it possible to keep development cycles short, update software directly on board and adjust parameters while sailing.
Currently, tests of automated or remotely controlled ships are still carried out on the basis of special permits. ‘However, the responsible authorities are already working on guidelines to enable automated systems to be certified on a regular basis in the future,’ says Kracht confidently. In the coming years, NOVA is to gradually achieve higher levels of automation, culminating in fully autonomous operation. However, a number of technical, regulatory and organisational issues still need to be addressed.
Presentation at boot and XPONENTIAL Europe 2026
At boot, the world's largest yacht and water sports fair in Düsseldorf, visitors could experience NOVA on dry land and see for themselves the technology inside the research vessel. The presentation of NOVA was deliberately aimed at a broad maritime audience of experts. Automation, alternative propulsion systems and sensor technology are playing an increasingly important role not only in inland waterway shipping, but also in the yachting and leisure sector. NOVA demonstrates which technologies are already being tested under real conditions today and which developments could also reach smaller vessels in the future. As part of XPONENTIAL Europe, demonstration trips will even be possible from the jetty at the Düsseldorf exhibition centre from 24 to 26 March 2026.
All information on the main topics and programme highlights of the event is available on the industry portal: www.xponential-europe.de/conference
