NOVA – Charting a Sustainable Future for Inland Shipping

The future of inland navigation is taking shape in Duisburg: On May 23, the autonomous and fully electric research vessel “NOVA” was officially christened, marking the launch of a new era in sustainable transport on Europe’s inland waterways. A joint initiative by the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) and the Development Center for Ship Technology and Transport Systems (DST), the vessel is the product of a two-year collaboration with shipbuilder FELLERyachting and electric propulsion leader Torqeedo.

Measuring 15 meters in length, NOVA is powered by two Torqeedo Deep Blue 50i electric motors and four Deep Blue 80 batteries. These not only drive the vessel but also supply all onboard systems via an integrated energy management system. A dedicated low-voltage circuit ensures the reliable operation of critical components like the autonomous navigation platform. By combining efficient hardware with real-time data access, NOVA offers a unique platform for research and innovation.

“The christening of NOVA marks a significant milestone in the transition toward more sustainable inland shipping,” said Heiko Vietmeier, CEO of Torqeedo. “Today, our systems are robust enough to power even complex use cases like autonomous research vessels fully electrically.”

Over the coming months, NOVA will operate on the Rhine and the canals of Germany’s Ruhr region, collecting data and testing new concepts for digital, automated waterborne transport. Researchers at UDE anticipate that fully automated inland vessels could become a reality within the next eight to ten years.