Method to address workforce deficiency: Vessel navigates autonomously - Method for Addressing Labor Shortages: Remotely Operating Ships
Inland shipping companies in Germany, spearheaded by HGK Shipping and Rhenus, are innovating remote-controlled vessel systems in response to an acute labor shortage. The six-month trial by HGK Shipping, which received regulatory approval, will test the remote operation of a cargo ship along the Elbe-Seitenkanal, with the captain based hundreds of kilometers away from the vessel [1][2]. This initiative, aimed at enhancing the attractiveness of the shipping profession by offering regular work hours and office-based conditions, targets the challenges in recruiting qualified personnel [2].
Rhenus, another major player in the logistics and shipping sector, is developing its own remote control system for fleet management, with plans to establish a dedicated control station for remote operations by 2030 and equip more ships with the necessary technology [2]. By creating more appealing job opportunities for future ship operators, the company seeks to address the labor shortage [2].
Political and industry interest resonates with the success of these projects. Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schneider (CDU) acknowledges the potential of inland waterways and asserts that labor shortages should not impede their exploitation [2]. The approach is considered essential for tapping into Germany's untapped inland waterway capacity [2]. While HGK Shipping and Rhenus are currently at the forefront of this technology in the inland shipping sector, there is a growing interest among other companies to adopt similar solutions [2]. However, as of now, there is no widespread evidence that a significant number of companies have followed suit to the same scale as HGK Shipping and Rhenus [2].
- To combat the labor shortage in the inland shipping sector, industry leaders like HGK Shipping and Rhenus are implementing vocational training programs focused on remote-controlled vessel systems, offering a more attractive work environment with regular hours and office-based conditions.
- In an attempt to address the labor shortage and exploit Germany's untapped inland waterway capacity, there's a growing trend among companies to invest in technology and finance for vocational training in remote-controlled vessel systems, following the lead of HGK Shipping and Rhenus.
