NavAuWall: an automated navigation solution

THE PROJECT:

The NavAuWall project aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility and economic relevance of automated navigation for small and large barges, specifically in Wallonia. This innovative project seeks to establish the operational conditions necessary for this technology, focusing on aspects such as the technologies used, economic relevance, required infrastructure, and safety.

At the heart of the project is the development of an automated barge, capable of navigating without a captain on board, with a reduced crew to ensure its proper operation.

NavAuWall targets three key markets:

• The renovation and construction of a new generation of barges.
• The transport of goods via inland waterways, including bulk materials, liquids, and containers.
• Remote piloting of inland vessels.

The project also has the mission of identifying regulatory gaps to be filled in order to enable the adoption of this technology in Wallonia. By significantly increasing the profitability of inland waterway transport, NavAuWall will contribute to modal shift and the reduction of external costs such as pollution, traffic congestion, accidents, and noise.

Additionally, the project will help attract a younger workforce, interested in new technologies, and improve working conditions for those involved in the continuous operation of inland vessels.

The project consortium brings together complementary expertise:

• Seafar for the management of autonomous navigation,
• DN&T for ship design and navigability analysis,
• Versus for logistics and river transport,
• Multitel for wireless communication systems,
• The ULiege-ANAST team for navigation modeling and lock passage.