Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has completed a proof-of-concept trial of a new application to intelligently monitor and mitigate grounding risks, in collaboration with maritime software firm NAPA and its parent company ClassNK.
The grounding risk monitoring technology is built on the NAPA Fleet Intelligence platform, combining data such as position, sea depth and navigational charts. The system provides alerts and notifications to crew on board, as well as those on shore, if vessels operate in a high-risk manner based on system parameters.
During the trial, the three companies tested the algorithms and warning mechanisms by using them to analyse historical vessel movements, which proved that the system would have been able to mitigate against past incidents in this sample.
Following the completion of the proof-of-concept stage, MOL, NAPA and ClassNK have agreed to the joint further development of the technology to create a more complete navigational risk monitoring system.
This will include integrated risk monitoring technology for operations, including monitoring of stranding, which will be used to assess risk factors such as the formation of volatile or unpredictable weather on a vessel’s given route. Additional technologies to monitor risk while anchored or moored are also currently being developed.
“We are very pleased with the results of the proof-of-concept stage of the vessel grounding risk monitoring software, in collaboration with NAPA and ClassNK,” said Satoshi Fujii, General Manager of MOL’s Smart Shipping Division.
“With the proof-of-concept stage having been made possible within a limited time frame, re-affirming both NAPA’s and ClassNK’s technical capabilities as a result of an effective and practical monitoring system, we are looking forward to developing and implementing this system to our vessels in order to ensure the safety of our fleet.”
