TOKYO: Japan’s NYK has completed a trial on the world’s first
autonomous ship, a 70,826-tonne pure car truck carriers (PCTC) Iris
Leader, sailing from China to Japan.
Using the Sherpa System for Real ship (SSR) navigation system, the
Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) trial was performed from 14-17
September from China’s Xinsha to Japan’s Nagoya, and then from Nagoya to
Yokohama from 19-20 September.
During the trial, the SSR’s performance in actual sea conditions was
monitored as it collected information on environmental conditions around
the ship from existing navigational devices, calculated collision risk,
automatically determined optimal routes and speeds that were safe and
economical, and then automatically navigated the ship.
“Using data and experience gained through this trial but not obtainable
through onshore simulators, NYK was able to ensure the feasibility of
the SSR and its benefit for safe and optimal operations. This trial was a
big step toward realizing NYK’s goal of manned autonomous ships,” NYK
stated.
“NYK will analyse the data and continue to develop the SSR into a more
advanced navigation-support system by making adjustments to the
difference between the optimal course derived by the program and that
determined by professional human judgment,” it added.
The SSR can become a basic technology for remote and unmanned
navigation. The SSR verified by this trial will be applied to future
coastal ships, which currently faces serious crew shortages, NYK
highlighted.
“NYK’s aim of manned autonomous ships that will make use of advanced
technologies and remote support from office to support ship operation
and enhance safety,” NYK said.
This trial follows the autonomous ship trial guidelines that the IMO
has outlined in June 2019, and it is conducted with approval from the
Panama flag state.
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