On the Elbe Lateral Canal in northern Germany, the cargo vessel Niedersachsen 2 glides quietly along, carrying 2,500 tons of coal from Hamburg to a power plant in Berlin.
On deck, everything looks routine — but the captain is nowhere to be seen. In fact, he’s 400 kilometres away, sitting in an office in Duisburg, steering the ship via screens and controls.
The Niedersachsen 2 is the first vessel in Germany authorized to carry goods under remote control for a six-month trial on parts of the north-western canal network.
The technology, already used in Belgium and the Netherlands, could help address a serious shortage of skilled crew and keep inland shipping — a relatively climate-friendly form of transport — competitive in the future.
“Remote control of ships is not just a ‘nice to have’ – it will probably determine whether we will still be able to operate the same number of ships in 2030 as we do today,” says Steffen Bauer, head of HGK Shipping, which operates the Niedersachsen 2.
Ensuring the industry’s future
The job of an inland waterway transport operator holds little appeal for many young people: spending two weeks at a stretch on board, living on the vessel and unable to come and go freely, is far from the modern idea of work–life balance.
Remote control could transform the captain’s role into an office-based job for some, so operators can be home with their families or playing sports by the end of the day.
Even part-time arrangements could become feasible. “This is a powerful tool for attracting qualified workers and making the profession more appealing,” says Bauer.
In Duisburg, the captain’s workstation looks much like the bridge of a real cargo ship, complete with radar, radio, and control stick — plus more than 10 screens and a mobile phone connection.
For safety, the Niedersachsen 2 still has a full crew on board during trials. But in future only one captain may be required instead of two.
Remote control shipping is a ‘game changer’
HGK has been testing remote navigation on the Rhine River between Rotterdam and Bonn for over a year, using individual permits from Belgian authorities.
If the current trial succeeds, Bauer hopes regular remote-controlled operations in Germany could begin by 2027.
Other companies are developing their own systems. Shipping giant Rhenus, working with researchers in Duisburg, plans to launch a control centre by 2030 and gradually equip its fleet for remote operation across Europe.
“We believe this will help us create…
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