On March 24, Kawasaki Kisen announced that it had completed the automated operation demonstration test of its regular domestic RORO vessel "Dai-ni Hokuren Maru" operating between Kushiro and Hitachi, and that after obtaining certification as an automated vessel from the Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Japan Maritime Association), it had passed the ship inspection by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Following the inspection, the "Dai-ni Hokuren Maru" is now capable of using autonomous navigation functions equivalent to Level 4 even during commercial voyages.
<Dai-ni Hokuren Maru>
The "Dai-ni Hokuren Maru" is a coastal RORO vessel operated by Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen, with a length of approximately 173m and a gross tonnage of 11,413 tons. It is engaged in transporting agricultural products, mainly raw milk from Hokkaido, from Kushiro Port in Hokkaido to Hitachi Port in Ibaraki Prefecture.
<The cockpit of the Second Hokuren Maru>
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha is participating in "MEGURI2040," a project promoted by the Nippon Foundation that aims to realize unmanned ships and ensure the stable transportation of people and goods. The company aims to solve challenges facing the maritime industry, such as the shortage of seafarers due to the declining birthrate and aging population, and accidents caused by human error.
This vessel is one of four demonstration ships for the Nippon Foundation's unmanned ship project, aiming to achieve autonomous operation through retrofitting (improving performance by adding new functions to existing equipment) to existing domestic RORO ships. In order to operate the ship, it was necessary to pass a ship inspection to confirm that it conforms to the technical standards set by the government.
The system, including sensors and a planner (which automatically plans evasive routes), was confirmed to be functioning properly, and on February 9th, the ship passed the national ship inspection as an autonomous vessel. This is the first time in Japan that a RORO ship has passed these ship inspections as an autonomous vessel.
