It is seen as a world first: the 240km autonomous cruise of the vehicle-carrying ferry in the Lyonda Sea. The 222-metre vessel even carried out the docking procedures completely autonomously.
The recent demonstration of the 'Smart Coastal Ferry project' used technology from the Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Company and the Shin Nihonkai Ferry Company. It was previously engaged during the development of the Japanese Soleil ferry, named after a Japanese sunflower . In turn, the ferry project is part of the larger Meguri 2040 project. That is a project of the Japanese Association for Development of Autonomous Ship Navigation.
The Soleil was commissioned on 1 July last year. The vessel is operated by a human crew. During the 7-hour, 240-km journey between Shinmoji and Lyonada, the Super Bridge-X autonomous navigation system collected data on the route. The recent autonomous crossing was the first to be handled entirely independently by the Super Bridge-X system. The ferry reached a top speed of 26 knots (48 km/h) during the crossing.
Besides GPS functionality, the navigation system also uses a series of infrared cameras to detect and avoid other vessels (day or night). Furthermore, an engine monitoring system keeps everything running smoothly. An automated system provides mooring support. The latter system ensures that the ship turns and moors in the two ports.
Mitsubishi says the development of these technologies contributes to greater maritime safety, less work for the crew and lower operating costs. Several demonstrations of the Meguri 2040 project will take place this year.
