ClassNK awards world’s first MASS notation to domestic container ship ‘Genbu’

ClassNK has granted its AUTO-Nav2(All) notation to domestic liner container ship ‘Genbu’, the only newly constructed autonomous ship under the MEGURI2040 Fully Autonomous Ship Program by The Nippon Foundation. This notation identifies ships equipped with an autonomous navigation system approved by ClassNK, and it marks the world’s first case of an autonomous navigation notation being assigned to a vessel operating on medium- to long-distance coastal routes.

The vessel (pictured) was constructed by Kyokuyo Shipyard Corporation, with ship management handled by IKOUS Corporation and operations conducted by Suzuyo Marine Co., Ltd.

Particularly in Japan, maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) are expected to contribute to securing daily routes to many inhabited remote islands and to the continuation of domestic shipping business due to the ageing of seafarers.

ClassNK’s ‘Guidelines for Automated/Autonomous Operation of ships’ have been developed based on insights gained through various demonstration projects, and outline the requirements for each stage of conceptual design, design development, installation, and maintenance during the operation of automated/autonomous operation technologies.

The autonomous navigation system installed on ‘Genbu’ has been developed through the dedicated efforts of the diverse companies participating in the consortium of the project. ClassNK conducted an examination of the system, based on its guidelines. Upon confirming it complies with the prescribed requirements, the AUTO-Nav2 (All) notation was affixed to the vessel. The classification society says that by obtaining this notation, the vessel is able to respond to the industry’s need for an official evaluation of highly safe automated navigation technologies and to externally demonstrate their reliability.