The waters of Trondheim Fjord and the bustling docks of Nyhavna are alive with activity this week as 12 student teams from 8 countries face off in the 2025 edition of Njord Challenge. The competition has become a key meeting ground for future technologists and today’s maritime industry, showcasing cutting-edge autonomous vessel technology in real-world conditions.
From 11–15 August, the physical competition will unfold across four demanding categories: Maneuvering, Docking, Collision Avoidance, and Path Finding. Each challenge pushes the limits of Level 4 autonomy – meaning fully unmanned surface vessel operations.
– Njord Challenge is a unique arena for recruitment and innovation, says Frode Halvorsen, General Manager of Ocean Autonomy Cluster. Students get to test their solutions in real maritime conditions, while the industry meets some of the brightest minds in the field. We are proud to support it.
Since its first digital edition in 2021 and the physical debut in Nyhavna in 2023, Njord Challenge has grown rapidly in scope and ambition. This year’s competition also integrates advanced digital twin simulations, allowing for faster iteration, learning, and performance improvement.
– Our goal is to give students hands-on experience with technology and problem-solving under realistic conditions, says Kasper T. Langland, Project Manager for Njord Challenge. We want to bridge the gap between academia and industry, making Trondheim a natural hub for autonomous shipping.
AGH Solar Boat – AGH University of Science and Technology (Poland)
Navi – Bahçeşehir University (Turkey)
Técnico Solar Boat – Instituto Superior Técnico (Portugal)
NODE – IAAC (Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Spain)
Greenship – Istanbul Technical University (Turkey)
Team AMORE (Autonomous Marine Operations for Renewable Energy) – Lake Superior State University (USA)
Innovators of Blue Ocean – The University of Tokyo & Osaka University (Japan)
Strathvoyager – University of Strathclyde (UK)
ITU AutoBee – Istanbul Technical University (Turkey)
YTU – Stars of Hydro – Yıldız Technical University (Turkey)
PRU-İDA – Piri Reis University (Turkey)
Navier USN – University of South-Eastern Norway (Norway)
Njord Challenge 2025 is supported by Kongsberg Discovery, DNV, SINTEF, MathWorks, NTNU, and Torghatten, alongside a wide range of maritime partners.
Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Ocean Autonomy Cluster