On November 5, Nippon Yusen announced that it has ordered a car carrier equipped with the latest autonomous navigation system and other marine DX equipment, with the aim of achieving safe operation and improving the efficiency of onboard operations through the use of digital technology. The vessel is scheduled to be completed in March 2026.
<Image of a car carrier equipped with marine DX equipment>
The ship will be equipped with an autonomous navigation system, a roll prevention system, and a Wi-Fi network covering the entire vessel. Trials will be conducted during actual commercial voyages to verify their effectiveness.
The autonomous navigation system, under the supervision of the crew, automatically avoids collisions and groundings, supporting safe navigation. By supporting tasks that were previously performed manually by the operator during watch duty, such as information gathering, situation analysis, and the development of avoidance plans, it aims to reduce the burden on the operator and improve safety.
Developed as part of the Nippon Foundation's unmanned vessel project "MEGURI2040," this system utilizes AI-powered image recognition technology and automated radar target analysis to collect and analyze surrounding information, visualize collision risk information, formulate avoidance plans, and automatically steer the vessel. It can also be switched back to conventional crew-operated steering at any time.
<System to prevent excessive shaking>
In a large-scale motion prevention system, even under the same sea conditions, the behavior of a ship can vary greatly depending on its course and speed, and in some cases, very large motions can occur, creating dangers such as cargo shifting. Based on wave data observed by a dedicated radar, the system simulates ship motion according to the ship's conditions and proposes the course and speed that minimizes motion to the operator, thereby preventing large motions and improving cargo protection and safety.
While Wi-Fi networks covering the entire ship have improved communication between ship and shore thanks to advancements in satellite communications, communication is currently limited to certain areas within the ship, such as the bridge and living quarters. In areas like the engine room, on deck, and in cargo holds, it can be difficult to access online manuals and documents, check real-time video footage of problems, and communicate with shore-based medical facilities in the event of injuries or illnesses.
Furthermore, because the ship's hull is made of metal, there are areas where the transceivers used for onboard communication have poor reception, which can disrupt daily operations. To solve these problems and achieve more efficient onboard operations and safer operation, Wi-Fi access points will be installed throughout the ship to significantly improve the onboard communication environment.
Furthermore, in recent years, the increasing size of vessels and the rise in traffic have made ship handling more difficult, and the increasing complexity of onboard equipment has increased the burden on crew members. In addition, nearly 7% of accidents during voyages are caused by human error, and prevention and efficiency improvements in onboard operations are essential for achieving safe operation, which explains the background for installing marine DX equipment.
■ Overview
Vessel type: Car carrier
Total length: 199.95m
Overall width: 38.00m
Scheduled completion date: June 31, 2026
Shipyard: Shin Kurushima Toyohashi Shipbuilding
