The maritime sector is undergoing a disruptive technological change driven by three main factors: autonomy, decarbonization, and digital transformation. Addressing these factors necessitates a reassessment of inland vessel operations. This paper presents the design and development of a decision support system for ferry operations based on a shrinking-horizon optimal control framework. The problem formulation incorporates a mathematical model of the ferry's dynamics and environmental disturbances, specifically water currents and wind, which can significantly influence the dynamics. Real-world data and illustrative scenarios demonstrate the potential of the proposed system to effectively support ferry crews by providing real-time guidance. This enables enhanced operational efficiency while maintaining predefined maneuver durations. The findings suggest that optimal control applications hold substantial promise for advancing future ferry operations on inland waters. A video of the real-world ferry MS Insel Mainau operating on Lake Constance is available at: https://youtu.be/i1MjCdbEQyE

翻译：海事领域正经历由三大主要因素驱动的颠覆性技术变革：自主化、脱碳化与数字化转型。应对这些因素需重新评估内河船舶的运营模式。本文提出一种基于收缩时域最优控制框架的渡轮运营决策支持系统的设计与开发方案。该问题建模融合了渡轮动力学数学模型及环境扰动（特别是水流与风场）的影响，这些因素可显著改变系统动态特性。通过实际数据与示例场景验证，所提系统能够为渡轮船员提供实时航行指导，在保持预设机动时长的前提下有效提升运营效率。研究结果表明，最优控制技术在内河渡轮未来运营中具有广阔应用前景。康斯坦茨湖实际运营渡轮MS Insel Mainau的演示视频可见：https://youtu.be/i1MjCdbEQyE