

(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.
DNV's latest white paper “Biofuels in shipping” finds that the flexibility of biofuels can... Read more
Shipping is so global, that only a truly global regulator such as the International Maritime Organization... Read more
Technology group Wärtsilä will partner with Transworld Group to apply the most advanced decarbonisation... Read more
Global healthcare specialist VIKAND has appointed Ronald Spithout as its Managing Director for VIKAND... Read more
The Columbia Group has underlined its commitment to the burgeoning Turkish maritime cluster by opening... Read more
ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products and Solutions to Inmarsat’s Fleet... Read more
The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) has reached an historic membership... Read more
Competition authorities have now approved the merger of OSM Maritime Group and Thome Group. The merged... Read more
A new report from DNV and Lloyd’s List Intelligence, “Maritime safety trends 2012-2022:... Read more
Damen Services has opened its twelfth service hub, located in South-East Asia at Damen Song Cam shipyard... Read more