(Marine Vessel Equipment) Onboard Validation Begins for Autonomous Control System Integrated with an Optimal Navigation Application for Domestic Coastal Vessels
- Business
- Marine Vessel Equipment
The Marine Control Systems Company of Nabtesco Corporation (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazumasa Kimura) has completed the development phase of the “Development of an Autonomous Control System Integrated with an Optimal Navigation Application for Domestic Coastal Vessels,” which was selected for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s FY2025 Support Program for Technology Development to Promote Transformation of Domestic Coastal Shipping, and has now moved into the onboard validation phase.
This technology development project is being carried out to address challenges facing the domestic coastal shipping industry, including the shortage of crew, while maintaining and improving navigational safety. Through onboard validation, we will verify the effectiveness, safety, and operability of the system and continue our efforts toward commercialization in 2027.
In this project, Nabtesco has developed an optimal navigation application that performs weather routing (*) and calculates optimal vessel speed, together with an autonomous control system that supports vessel operations. By enabling the system to provide optimal operating conditions and support control of engine output commands, which have traditionally been determined by onboard personnel as part of voyage planning, the project aims to reduce crew workload while supporting safe vessel operation.
This system is designed as a support system and is not intended to replace the judgment or ship-handling of crew. It is operated under the supervision and final decision-making authority of onboard personnel. The system is designed to allow crew intervention and manual operation whenever necessary and is not intended for fully autonomous navigation.
(*) Weather routing is a technique that predicts meteorological and oceanographic conditions encountered during a voyage and determines the optimal route by taking into account vessel performance and estimated arrival time.
The onboard validation of this system will be conducted on the domestic roll-on/roll-off vessel Haru Maru No. 5, operated by Daio Kaiun Co., Ltd. Misuga Kaiun Co., Ltd. is participating as a technical advisor on vessel operation and management. The verification will be carried out by utilizing practical knowledge gained from actual vessel operations, while implementing sufficient safety measures in cooperation with all parties involved and giving the highest priority to navigational safety.
Domestic roll-on/roll-off vessel “Haru Maru No.5”
Development image of autonomous control system
Image of weather routing application
Nabtesco will continue to work closely with Daio Kaiun, Misuga Kaiun, and other related parties to advance the demonstration program with safety as its highest priority. By further developing this technology as a safe navigation support technology that complements the knowledge and judgment of crew, we aim to contribute to the sustainable development and enhanced safety of the domestic coastal shipping industry.
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<Company overview>
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Name |
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Daio Kaiun Co., Ltd. |
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Representative |
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Masami Iwai, Representative director |
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Head office |
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Shikokuchuo-city, Ehime |
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Business |
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Ocean transport services (international and domestic), ship agency services, and other operations (including customs brokerage, port cargo handling, etc.) |
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Website |
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<Company overview>
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Name |
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Misuga Kaiun Co., Ltd. |
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Representative |
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Masami Iwai, Representative director |
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Head office |
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Chiyoda-ku. Tokyo |
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Business |
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Ocean transportation services (international and domestic), ship management services, crew management services, ship ownership services, and ship sales and brokerage services |
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Website |
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<Company overview>
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Name |
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Nabtesco Corporation |
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Representative |
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Kazumasa Kimura, Representative director |
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Head office |
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Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
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Business |
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Remote control system for marine vessels, solutions for marine vessels and others. |
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Website |
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About Nabtesco https://www.nabtesco.com/en/
Nabtesco was established through the integration of Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd. and NABCO Ltd. in 2003. Based on its unique motion control technology, Nabtesco manufactures components for machines to support the automation of production facilities and to provide safety, comfort and a sense of security for land, sea and air transportation.
Nabtesco started the marine vessel equipment business in 1950 and now has a market share of about 45% (our estimate) in Japan and about 40% (our estimate) in the world for marine vessel engine remote control systems, which represent its core product in the business. The company also offers control equipment for auxiliary propulsion systems, electronic governor systems, and electronically controlled hydraulic valves for use in electronically controlled engines. It has marine vessel equipment production bases in the city of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, the city of Busan in South Korea and the city of Shanghai in China and also has service bases for the equipment in Singapore and the Netherlands.
