Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (Ok LINE) and the Nippon Foundation have demonstrated autonomous navigation on a roro for a round-trip route of roughly 1,000 miles (1,600km) between Hitachi Port and Kushiro Port.
The 11,413gt Hokuren Maru No. 2 sails the route routinely in service for operator Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen. Three autonomous voyages have been undertaken since October 1, 2023.
“We confirmed that recognition, analysis, and decision making by the autonomous navigation system are executed with a high degree of accuracy in coastal navigation,” mentioned Ok Line in a press release. “In the experimental route, the autonomous navigation system was used to navigate while maintaining the normal crew navigation tasks, and in situations where avoidance was necessary, the autonomous navigation system proposed avoidance routes and controlled steering to safely avoid other vessels. The autonomous navigation system has achieved an average system operation rate of approximately 96% in the sea area set as operational design domain.”
Data obtained from the ocean demonstration exams might be used to additional improve the system.
Ok Line says it’ll proceed to collaborate with Japan Radio, YDK Technologies, and Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen to additional develop a complete system that contributes to the development of totally autonomous ships expertise. “We will continue to enhance the onboard system based on the research and development achievements thus far and develop an automatic vessel speed control system in preparation for the 2025 sea demonstration test. Our goal is to create an autonomous navigation system with high versatility that can be implemented in various types of vessels.”
Ok Line may also work on the event of landside and ship-to-shore communication methods, with the intention of building steady monitoring of vessel situations from shore and offering navigational help.
