DSME trials autonomous navigating system

The vessel passed various tests such as turning the engine on and off after receiving an order from the control tower, cruising according to the planned route, avoiding collisions, and returning to the route after avoiding an obstacle.

The test was based on DSME’s smart ship platform DS4 which received certification from ABS in October 2021.

DSME says it has now acquired Level 3 autonomous navigation classification from Lloyd’s Register. Next year, the shipbuilder plans to test the autonomous navigation system on a commercial vessel, and it hopes to acquire Level 4 certification by 2024.

The IMO categorizes autonomous ship operations into four levels. A ship with automated process and decision support is referred to as the Level 1. Level 2 autonomous operations is described as a remote controlled ship with seafarers on board. At Level 3, the ship is remotely controlled without any seafarers on board, and with Level 4, the ship is fully autonomous.

The yard is also collaborating with Korean Register, and in May 2022 the two organisations agreed to work together on increased digitalisation and the development smart and autonomous ship technology. The collaboration includes the development of a smart ship service to improve the safety and efficiency of ship navigation, development of Digital Data Exchange technology, development and verification/certification of autonomous navigation technology, joint development of crew training contents, and digital technology for smart yard implementation which will include smart sea trial operations. DSME will lead the development of smart ship and autonomous operation technologies using research from its own smart ship platform (DS4).

In October, ABS has granted approval in principle to DSME competitor, Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, for four areas of autonomous functions: navigation, machinery health management, fire-fighting management and network infrastructure.