Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has completed what it claims is the world's first fully automated voyage involving a ship of more than 200 metres in length on a Japanese coastal route.
The breakthrough voyage involved the high-speed 15,500-gt passenger ship Soleil (built 2021) operated by Shin Nihonkai Ferry.
The fully automated ferry sailed between Shimoji and Kitakyushu City on Japan's Iyonada Sea, a voyage of 240 km that takes seven hours. The ship sailed at a maximum speed of 26 knots (50 km/h).
The fully automated voyage included both berthing and unberthing operations.
At the centre of the operation was Super Bridge X, a fully automated ship navigation system.
The system can perform precise turning and reversing movements and berthing and unberthing operations.
Soleil is also equipped with infrared cameras to prevent collision by detecting other ships and potential hazards, even in darkness.
Data security systems were also in place to protect security.
As part of the project engine monitoring technology is also being developed to predict or repair any breakdown.
Many issues
"This demonstration test greatly accelerated the development of fully autonomous ship navigation systems using many advanced technologies including artificial intelligence," said Mitsubishi Shipbuilding executive vice president Naoki Ueda.
The unmanned ship project, MEGURI 2040, was sponsored by the Nippon Foundation, a Japanese charitable organisation.
The project's aim is to try to find a solution to labour shortages in coastal shipping.
Nippon Foundation executive director Mitsuyuki Unno said: "I hope this will lead to further development toward practical use. There are still many issues to be resolved, however, and I believe today’s results will be a guide toward the creation of international rules for fully autonomous vessels."
