The Holland Shipyards Group has started work on building the largest ever 3D printed ferry as part of a new project sponsored by France to highlight innovations in sustainable and autonomous shipping. In December last year, Holland Shipyards Group, Sequana Développement and Roboat were designated as winners in a national call for autonomous passenger boat projects initiated by the French inland waterways authority, Voies Navigables de France.
The concept ferry proposed by the winning consortium will be 3D printed and with its dimensions of 9m by 3.90m, is the largest printed autonomous ferry ever. The ferry is characterized by a state-of-the-art design, an autonomy system, electric propulsion, and has a 3D printed hull made of recycled material. Mooring and charging will happen automatically.
The ferry will to be deployed in the summer of 2024 in a key location, still under wraps, in the vicinity of the major sporting events at the Paris Olympics and will enable visitors and athletes to fulfill their mobility needs in a new and environmentally friendly manner.
“Every city has to deal with urban mobility challenges and green transport over water can offer an excellent solution. By using autonomous electric ferries, you have a sustainable solution for reducing city congestion and emissions. The ferries help cities solve their growing mobility needs by making better use of the waterways. Autonomous ferries will create new connections over existing waterways in cities worldwide, ” said Ynse Deinema, CEO Roboat.