First auto berthing using large car ferry

The tests, running in March and April 2021, took place at a pier in Oarai Port, Ibaraki Prefecture, using the 11,410 tonne Sunflower Shiretoko, a car ferry owned by MOL Ferry.

This demonstration test, selected by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism for its autonomous vessel demonstration project, is a world first from two aspects – use of a large car ferry on one of its service routes and conducting the test using an actual pier.

The project team developed the ship operation plan, operation guide and success criteria and used simulations to conduct a thorough safety assessment under various conditions. In addition, the team conducted the test and verified safety on the vessel in service by autonomously berthing and unberthing at a virtual pier projected on the water.

Using the results of this test, the project team will now conduct further demonstration tests of auto berthing and unberthing at actual berths with other ship types.