A brand-new luxury river cruise ship, Lumière, has completed what is reported to be the world’s first fully autonomous dock-to-dock voyage on inland waterways. Under the oversight of the ship’s captain, the vessel safely undocked, sailed approximately six nautical miles, and docked again without manual intervention on the River Merwede in the Netherlands.
The 135-meter vessel accommodates 130 passengers and 50 crew and is owned by German river cruise specialist Scylla, which operates over 40 vessels for charter and the MICE market. Beginning in 2025, Lumière will sail the Rhône for Tauck, offering spacious cabins and premium amenities designed for luxury cruising.
🚢 Autonomous technology in real conditions
The demonstration voyage took place on October 24 between Hardinxveld-Giessendam and Gorinchem, under conditions close to real service — including a strong 8-Beaufort side wind (34–40 knots), which did not affect the vessel’s track.
The test integrated:
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Retina M-Pilot maneuvering system
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ST BRAIN real-time operational intelligence
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Autonomous Lane Assist (ALA) from Shipping Technology
These systems jointly controlled rudder angles, thrusters, propulsion and route optimization — accounting for vessel loading, desired turning acceleration, and engine settings to ensure safe and efficient navigation.
Shipping Technology emphasized:
autonomous navigation is no longer future technology — it is here today: safe, efficient and environmentally friendly.
🔋 Hybrid power for silent, zero-emission operations
Lumière features two HP-inline hybrid powertrains and large battery packs enabling speeds of up to 11 km/h fully electric:
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zero-emission maneuvering in ports
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silent operation for improved passenger comfort
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batteries chargeable via shore power or shaft generator
🌍 A turning point for inland navigation
Developers say the project marks a major milestone for the inland cruise sector:
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enhanced safety and operational precision
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reduced captain workload with smarter automation
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improved support for less-experienced crews
The companies stress that autonomous technology is intended to support captains, not replace them — providing smarter decision-making tools on board.
🎯 Conclusion
The successful autonomous voyage of Lumière proves that the future of inland passenger shipping has already arrived — combining luxury cruising, green propulsion, and next-generation navigation in one vessel.
