

(Posted on 18/03/22)
Leading Classification Society ClassNK granted the Approval in Principle (AiP) for a fully autonomous ship framework (development code “APExS-auto”*1) jointly developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), MTI Co., Ltd. (MTI), and Japan Marine Science Inc.
"APExS-auto” is a framework of the concept for realizing a fully autonomous ship by automating a series of processes required for ship operation, including information gathering, analysis, planning, approval, and execution. It has been adopted in the fully autonomous ship demonstration conducted by the Designing the Future of Full Autonomous Ship (DFFAS) Consortium, which is participating in the “Joint Technological Development Programme for the Demonstration of Fully Autonomous Ships” under the fully autonomous ship project “MEGURI2040” administered by the Nippon Foundation.
ClassNK has been involved in various demonstration projects to support the development and implementation of automated and autonomous ship operation technologies from a safety perspective and has worked to establish the necessary safety standards. In 2020, ClassNK issued the AiP for a crewed autonomous ship framework (development code “APExS”) developed by NYK and MTI.
For the concept design of “APExS-auto”, ClassNK has also conducted its safety review based on the requirements of the society’s “Guidelines for Automated/Autonomous Operation of ships”. Having confirmed its compliance with the requirements, including clarification of basic elements comprising the concept of the system, risk assessments, and backup systems, ClassNK issued the AiP.
In collaboration with partners, ClassNK will continue to ensure the environment for applying automated and autonomous ship operation technologies by providing standards and technical verifications for advanced initiatives.
A surge in industry interest combined with systems builders and yards scaling up production and installation... Read more
Idwal is pleased to welcome NS United Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. (NSU) as the latest partner to Idwal ID, our... Read more
Econowind has surpassed 100 VentoFoil units sold, marking a major milestone in the shipping industry... Read more
The University of Strathclyde in Scotland, UK is encouraging ship operators, safety professionals and... Read more
InterManager, the international association for the ship management sector, has elected Sebastian von... Read more
InterManager, the international trade association for the ship management sector, is calling on shipping... Read more
The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) has announced a strategic development... Read more
DNV has launched a new family of class notations, Autonomous and Remotely Operated Ships (AROS), providing... Read more
Leading figures across the dry bulk shipping sector have joined in paying tribute to Dimitri Fafalios... Read more
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has highlighted key items... Read more