Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) made an announcement on July 6, stating that it has achieved a major milestone in the maritime industry by successfully verifying ship autonomous navigation technology.
The test was conducted on a 15,000 TEU class large container ship built at Geoje Shipyard and involved a journey from Jeju Island to Kaohsiung Port in Taiwan, covering a distance of approximately 1,500km.
From June 26th to July 1st, SHI installed the Samsung Autonomous Ship (SAS) and SHI's Smart Ship Solution SVESSEL, a remote autonomous navigation system developed by SHI, on the vessel.
The demonstration showcased the integration of advanced autonomous navigation technologies, including AIS, radar, camera sensors, and sensor fusion. By navigating through challenging encounters and effectively guiding safe detour routes, the system demonstrated its capability in a real-world scenario.
The successful demonstration holds significant value as it showcased the upgraded level of autonomous navigation technology. In particular, the system excelled in presenting accurate avoidance routes when faced with approaching vessels in the South China Sea, a region known for heavy maritime traffic. Notably, the routes generated by the SHI autonomous navigation system aligned with over 90% of the routes determined by experienced human navigators.
Furthermore, the container ship used in the test was equipped with various cutting-edge smart ship solutions, such as SVESSEL CBM (Condition Based Maintenance), an equipment maintenance system developed by SHI, and SVESSEL eLogbook, an electronic log book. These advancements offer shipping companies the potential to reduce crew workload and operational costs.
"Following last year's successful demonstration in Jeju Island and Dokdo, we have now showcased our advanced autonomous navigation technology on a global scale," said Kim Hyeon-jo, head of SHI's Autonomous Navigation Research Center. "This achievement solidifies Samsung Heavy Industries' position at the forefront of the industry."
