Mitsui OSK Lines is introducing on its new generation car carriers technology allowing for virtual ship visits.
Vessel View VR provides a tool to showcase and explain the capabilities of its vessels to customers, says MOL, and also provide improved training and higher safety awareness among its employees.
The company launched 1 July its annual safety campaign targeting all MOL group operated and owned vessels.
MOL president and chief executive Junichiro Ikeda today announced the new virtual ship visits based on technology developed by Tokyo-headquartered Nurve.
MOL’s 63,100 gt Beluga Ace, delivered in March 2018 and one of the company’s Flexie series car carriers, is the first ship to benefit.
It says the sheer size of the 200 metre vessel would make it very difficult for on-board visitors to tour all of the ship in a limited time.
Understanding the vessel’s structure can also be difficult by looking only at blueprints and photos.
The system means unlimited numbers of customers and others can view its vessels and avoids having to submit individual applications to the chief customs inspector.
Traditional in-person visits are also limited to port calls and while in dockyards, as well as being restricted by weather conditions.
Noise in the engine room and elsewhere can also make it difficult when talking to visitors.
The system also has potential for training. MOL says it is striving to “become the world leader in safe operations.”
As part of its current safety campaign, Ikeda, executives and other personnel are visiting ships in the fleet for what MOL describes as detailed safety culture discussions with seafarers.
Last Ocotober, MOL announced that it had developed a mariner safety education tool goggle.
It relies on virtual reality technology to replicate various training scenarios and work operations.
MOL suffered in 2014 the loss of the 8,110-teu containership MOL Comfort (built 2008) which broke in two and sank in the Indian Ocean.The company was absolved of responsibility.
