The two companies will start co-developing underlying technologies and systems to allow future unmanned ship navigation. The resulting prototype system will be installed on a vessel to be operated by Shin Nihonkai Ferry and verified in Japanese coastal waters by way of demonstration testing.

Demonstration testing of the new system will take place for about a year, starting with ship delivery scheduled for the end of June 2021 through May 2022. Crew will be aboard during this process to track operations and ensure health.

Since the 1990s, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has been developing automation systems to help navigate ships and handle cargo.

Under the new development programme, the company will work collaboratively not only with Shin Nihonkai Ferry but also with academic institutions, IT businesses and control system engineering firms in the design , construction and total verification of a large car ferry that integrates advanced unmanned navigation technologies.

In the future, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding will expand on the accomplishments of its current development plan to further improve the safety of the ships, the the workload of the crew and the the operating costs. By addressing these issues, the organization will contribute to the continued growth of marine logistics and ocean transport.

Maritime Business World