Japanese partnership completes autonomous vessel trials

A partnership formed by Japanese companies Marubeni Corporation, Tryangle, Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding, and the City of Yokosuka recently completed proof-of-concept tests of a vessel fitted with a newly developed autonomous navigation system.

An existing small passenger craft owned by Tryangle was utilised for the tests, which were conducted between New Mikasa Pier and Sarushima Island in Yokosuka. The tests also included demonstration of the technology’s fully autonomous berthing/unberthing capability and collision avoidance features.

Marubeni said the autonomous operation was conducted with an embarked crew in compliance with safety regulations.

The partners aim to make the technology available for incorporation on other existing vessels.