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Test sailings of the Frostabåten continue in January, and interest in the project remains high. With trials under realistic winter conditions and broad participation from research environments, the public sector, and industry, the project is taking new steps toward more cost- and energy-efficient maritime transport on the Trondheimsfjord.

The test sailings run from Tuesday to Friday, 12–17 January, with Monday reserved for preparation and the possibility of test runs on Saturday. From Tuesday to Wednesday, the Frostabåten sails from Trondheim, before testing continues to Vanvikan on Thursday.

The testing is conducted in collaboration with NTNU Shore Control Lab and SINTEF, with a primary emphasis on evaluating the boat’s systems and performance under realistic conditions and gathering detailed data for further development. The boat has already been tested in challenging winter conditions, and January is expected to bring even colder temperatures than in December. The goal of the project is to contribute to simplifying transport in a way that is both cost- and energy-efficient.

– There has been tremendous interest in the project, says Linda Hald, project manager for the Frostabåten at FI Ocean Space Incubator.

Serial entrepreneur Terje Viken is a key driving force behind the Frostabåten project. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Most of the passenger spots for the test sailings are now fully booked, but it is still possible to register interest.

– The enthusiasm around the Frostabåten has been absolutely incredible, adds Terje Viken. He is from Frosta, a serial entrepreneur, and a key driving force behind the Frostabåten project.

NTNU research: building a digital twin

Alexey Gusev, PhD Researcher in Design of Autonomous Ferries and Vehicles at NTNU Shore Control Lab (SCL), comments on the testing:

– For the upcoming trials, our main goal is to collect extensive data on cameras, positioning, network quality, and the boat’s movements such as rolling, speed, and tilting.

– Altogether, this data will give us excellent opportunities to build a digital twin that accounts for these factors and can be integrated into our gateways. The entire system will also be further developed and stress-tested on this route, demonstrating the potential for use on other similar vessels. From a research perspective, this data can support a variety of future projects and, importantly, provide the foundation for a feasibility study on remotely operating small high-speed ferries from onshore control centers such as SCL, Gusev adds.

Alexey Gusev, NTNU Shore Control Lab. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Positive results and next steps

– So far, the test sailings have gone very well. We expect that the trial to Vanvikan will confirm that docking with such a small vessel will work smoothly. The current challenges are the next steps regarding procurement and financing of boats in a public-private partnership. There is strong interest from public actors, industry, and the tourism sector. There is also significant interest from technology providers within maritime technology, particularly in sensors, safety systems, and autonomous systems, says Linda Hald.

Linda Hald, project manager for the Frostabåten, and Frode Halvorsen, head of Testination and Ocean Autonomy Cluster. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Broad collaboration

The Frostabåten project is carried out through close collaboration between Frosta Brygge, Trondheim Havn, Ocean Autonomy Cluster, MIDAS, Crazy Coyote, WTW, Login Group, Norsk Droneindustri, SINTEF, Maritime Robotics, and FI Ocean Space Incubator. NTNU, through its Shore Control Lab, is a key partner in testing and research related to remote monitoring and autonomous systems.

Trondheim municipality and Trøndelag County Council are important public-sector partners and contribute to the financing of the project.

– The hope is that, in the near future, we will have at least three electric hydrofoils in operation on the Trondheimsfjord, and that we position Trøndelag as efficient both in commuter transport and tourist transport, while also leading in the development of new transport technology, adds Linda Hald.

Munkholmen may become one of the docking points for the Frostabåten. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

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