Autonomous shipping: Anschütz shapes maritime future with the CAPTN initiative

The CAPTN (Clean Autonomous Public Transport Network) initiative in Kiel is pursuing an ambitious goal: the development of sustainable, autonomous and connected public transport on the water, which can be used to relieve traffic routes on land. At the heart of the project is the Kiel Fjord as a unique and, with its heavy traffic, challenging real-world laboratory for the safe mobility of the future. This is where an innovative overall system is being created that combines intelligent infrastructure, zero-emission ferries and autonomous shipping. The motivation: commuting to work in the morning on the Fjord Ferry in a seamless, synchronised transport network and in an environmentally friendly and relaxed manner – instead of losing valuable time in traffic jams.

Under the real and demanding conditions on the Kiel Fjord, the CAPTN initiative goes beyond purely academic or technological research into autonomous navigation. In collaboration with authorities, users and other stakeholders, the technology is being demonstrated in real-world applications to quickly develop solutions that are both certifiable and accepted by customers. Alongside technological innovation, the focus is also on making a real contribution to the sustainable transformation of shipping.

CAPTN is an interdisciplinary alliance of science, industry and the public sector. The projects of the CAPTN initiative are funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (as well as their previous federal ministries). Partners include the R&D Centre at Kiel University of Applied Sciences, Kiel University, the Science Centre Kiel, the digital service provider Addix and numerous companies from the maritime industry. 

Anschütz GmbH plays a key role in this, being a world-leading provider of navigation and mission systems based in Kiel. Anschütz brings many years of experience in the development of safety-critical maritime systems and, within the framework of CAPTN, is significantly advancing the development of technologies for autonomous navigation, remote monitoring and remote control, as well as assistance and mission systems. 

MV Wavelab: A testbed for autonomous shipping

A central element of the CAPTN initiative, and at the same time a decisive step on the way to approval of autonomous systems, was the creation of the test field on the Kiel Fjord. This test field included the construction and commissioning of the MV Wavelab: a research catamaran specially developed for the study of autonomous shipping. The Wavelab serves as a floating laboratory for testing autonomous navigation and control technologies, sensors, and data transmission under a wide range of conditions.

For this purpose, the catamaran was equipped with state-of-the-art technology from Anschütz:

• Integrated Navigation System (INS) which centrally manages data from navigation sensors, radar, and AIS (Automatic Identification System). It processes all data into a comprehensive, precise situation analysis for navigation and the respective application scenarios, and shares the situational picture in real time;
• Multifunctional system with radar, ECDIS and conning applications;
• Autopilot for high-precision, automated steering, which also adapts to the ship's manoeuvring characteristics;
• X-band radar and navigation sensors.

The navigation and control systems on board the Wavelab are built on fully certified technologies that have been tried and tested thousands of times in real-world operations. As part of the CAPTN initiative, the individual systems were adapted and further developed, and additional sensors and systems were integrated to complete the maritime situation picture and achieve a higher degree of automation on board.

As of June 2025, the Wavelab will be able to autonomously manage simple to moderately complex navigation tasks – including maintaining course, detecting and evaluating other traffic and potential hazards, and performing automated evasive manoeuvres.

Remote Operation: Anschütz's control centre

Another milestone in the CAPTN initiative was the establishment of the Remote Operations Centre at Anschütz in Kiel. This control centre serves as the operations hub for remote monitoring and, when required, remote control of the Wavelab. 

The control centre features a digital twin that aggregates data from all onboard systems and sensors, including experimental ones. A large monitor allows a 360-degree view of video images from aboard the Wavelab – much like the vantage point from the lookout on a real ferry.  The navigation radar, the electronic chart, the navigation data and the control and propulsion systems can be accessed via multifunction displays. A separate dashboard displays the performance of the entire system, such as available bandwidth or energy management.

During intensive test campaigns, it was demonstrated that the MV can be safely controlled from the Remote Operations Centre. This includes manoeuvres such as:

• Remote monitoring and control of the Wavelab under various weather, visibility and traffic conditions;
• Taking over and handing over control;
• Course changes and speed adjustments in real time;
• Ensuring a stable and powerful data connection under various conditions.
• Highly automated nautical situation picture generation in Anschütz's INS;
• User-focused presentation of the self-explanations of ship behaviour using the example of an autonomous ferry (acceptance);
• Validation with the test vehicle in a real-world environment on the Kiel Fjord.

The arrangement of monitors, navigation displays and provided information in the control centre has been specifically adapted throughout the project to meet the requirements of remote control. At the same time, the control centre was able to flexibly test and optimise the inclusion of additional data – for example from new sensors – into the calculation and visualisation of the overall maritime picture. 

This concept of remote monitoring is a central building block for future operating models in which an operator can monitor several autonomous units simultaneously. It’s a decisive step towards economically viable, autonomous ferry services or efficient maritime surveillance of large or high-risk areas and infrastructures.

Collision avoidance: COLREG-compliant algorithms

Collision avoidance is a central, safety-relevant issue in autonomous shipping. In this area, Anschütz has made a significant breakthrough as part of the OCUMAR research project in collaboration with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology: the development and extensive testing of a COLREG-compliant navigation algorithm.

The COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) are the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea. They were originally designed for human navigators – their machine interpretation presents a considerable challenge, not least from a legal perspective.

Anschütz has developed an algorithm that translates these regulations into machine-readable decision logic. The algorithm continuously analyses the traffic situation, assesses potential collision risks and recommends evasive manoeuvres that comply with the regulations. Both stationary and dynamic vessels are considered, as are the movement intentions of other traffic participants.

The algorithm was able to prove its performance in extensive test scenarios on the Kiel Fjord. The Wavelab was able to navigate complex traffic situations efficiently, safely and in accordance with the regulations. Crucially, the algorithm's assessments and suggested alternative courses were accepted without exception by the supervising navigators.

The extension of the autopilot controller was also used, which not only optimally adjusts the course but also the speed according to the trajectories and can therefore allow the evasive manoeuvre to run completely automatically.

In addition to conventional radar and AIS targets, the navigation system's Target Management now also uses information from intelligent camera sensors with learnt and automated object recognition when analysing the traffic situation. The maritime situation picture is thus further completed and validated, and situational awareness is further increased. This innovation is being further developed and optimised in follow-up projects such as the CAPTN project X-Ferry.

X-Ferry: The next step towards autonomous ferry service

The technologies developed in the CAPTN initiative are being further developed and refined in the follow-up project, X-Ferry. Here, Anschütz focuses on improving the situation display and alarm processing. An optimised situational awareness should enable well-founded decisions to be made and critical situations to be identified more quickly.

The aim is to increase acceptance of autonomous ferries by explaining technical processes in an understandable and transparent manner. This marks the transition from research to practical application – a crucial step towards bringing autonomous ferry systems to market readiness. 

The focus is on:

• Highly automated nautical situation picture generation in Anschütz's INS;
• User-focused presentation of the self-explanations of ship behaviour using the example of an autonomous ferry (acceptance);
• Validation with the test vehicle in a real-world environment on the Kiel Fjord.

Further applications in shipping: More safety through assistance systems

Only very few ships will actually be able to travel completely autonomously in the foreseeable future. The development of assistance systems in shipping, such as those promoted by Anschütz with its collision avoidance algorithm and the extended autopilot, brings several concrete advantages. The focus is not on complete autonomy, but on the gradual introduction of intelligent assistance systems that can support, relieve and, in certain scenarios, replace the people on board.

Assistance systems can significantly improve situational awareness on board. They provide the crew with precise information in real time, support them in making decisions and give specific recommendations for action – especially in stressful situations. This reduces human error, which continues to be a major cause of maritime accidents. At the same time, a higher degree of automation relieves the bridge team of navigation and routine tasks and counteracts the increasing shortage of skilled workers. In the future, assistance systems could even reduce personnel requirements on board. The application scenarios for assistance systems visible today are scalable for different types of ships and areas of use – from simple support to semi-autonomous control. 

Naval applications: Autonomous systems for unmanned boats

The technologies developed in the civil sector can also be applied to naval defence. In initial customer projects, Anschütz is currently working on an autonomous navigation and mission system for unmanned naval boats. These systems should be able to carry out critical missions independently, such as surveillance missions, mine clearance or logistical tasks.

The requirements for such systems are particularly high: They must function reliably under extreme environmental conditions, have high redundancy and be able to respond to threats in real time. The experience gained from the CAPTN initiative, particularly in the areas of sensor fusion, collision avoidance, manoeuvrability and remote control, is directly incorporated into these developments. In doing so, Anschütz is making an important contribution to the modernisation of naval defence systems and to increasing the operational capability of unmanned platforms.

Conclusion and outlook: Technology for a safe and sustainable maritime future

Anschütz follows a clear course: the development of safe, efficient and sustainable navigation and mission systems for tomorrow's maritime applications. 

This is why Anschütz has always advanced shipping with its own innovations – be it with the gyrocompass, the Iron Helmsman, the railway guidance system or the INS. Through the CAPTN initiative’s research projects, countless Wavelab test voyages, and development work within customer projects, Anschütz has now established the key foundations for the intelligent and autonomous navigation of the future. 

The test field on the Kiel Fjord poses a unique locational advantage: It enables testing under real conditions and creates close links between science, industry and authorities. The technologies developed here are relevant not only for civil ferry traffic, but also for naval applications.

By combining proven maritime technology such as the INS SYNAPSIS with innovative enhancements, including autonomous decision-making algorithms, remote control functionality and optimised situational analyses through additional sensor fusion, a solid foundation is created for further, useful automation on the bridge, certifiable assistance systems and flexible, autonomous deployment systems, for example for ferries and naval vessels. 

The future of shipping is digital, connected and sustainable – and the Kiel CAPTN initiative and Anschütz are actively helping to shape it.