YDK Technologies Co., Ltd. has been granted Approval in Principle (AiP) * from the Japanese classification society ClassNK for joint development of Advanced Maneuvering Assistant System, which is being developed in cooperation with KAWASAKI KISEN KAISHA, Ltd., Japan Radio Co., Ltd. and KAWASAKI KINKAI KISEN KAISHA, Ltd.(Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen).

Background of approach

From 2021, we have entered into joint research and development agreement with KAWASAKI KISEN KAISHA, Ltd. and Japan Radio Co., Ltd. for the Advanced Maneuvering Assistant System to assist the navigation in making accurate maneuvering decisions, and we are currently working on MEGURI 2040 using technology developed through joint research and development.
In 2022, we have been conducting the system design targeting the existing large RORO cargo ship "HOKUREN MARU No. 2" operated by Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen. We have been collaborating with ClassNK in verification and validation for safety of the system, including the conditions of use and backup systems.

System summary

The Advanced Maneuvering Assistant System automatically generates some routes for avoiding a collision with other ships on a monitored route when a collision with another ship due to OZT *** is predicted and assists the operator in avoiding the collision. The system will consider COLREGs**** and suggest up to two avoidance routes that will allow the ship to return to its original course line within 1 hour. In addition, track control is performed for the selected avoidance route by linking the system with Auto Pilot and ECDIS*****.

We will continue to work with KAWASAKI KISEN KAISHA, Ltd., Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen and Japan Radio Co., Ltd. to develop a comprehensive system that will contribute to the improvement of fully autonomous ships technology in order to realize the autonomous navigation system on the existing RORO vessel "HOKUREN MARU No. 2".

* AiP, which stands for Approval in Principle, is a scheme for the examination of plans and documents based on the rules for products in the early design stage to confirm their technical feasibility from the viewpoint of the rules. Source : ClassNK

** A subsidization scheme to cultivate further momentum for technological development in the field of fully autonomous ships, promoting changes in logistics, economies, and social infrastructure in Japan, and supporting such technological development through the success of the world's first fully autonomous operation trials by domestic coastal vessels. We are participating as a member of the Designing the Future of Fully Autonomous Ships Plus consortium (DFFAS+).