ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for ‘Safety Berthing/Unberthing Assistance System’ developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., and granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the ‘Berthing and unberthing Assistance System-Human Machine Interface’. ClassNK has also confirmed that the ‘a-SAFE’ notation (BSS) *¹ -Berthing Support System, which indicate ships with advanced safety measures, can be applied to ClassNK-registered vessels equipped with Berthing and unberthing Assistance System-Human Machine Interface.

Image of ‘Berthing and unberthing Assistance System-Human Machine Interface’
(courtesy: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd)

ClassNK is involved in various demonstration projects and continuously works to develop necessary safety standards, in order to support the development and implementation of automated/autonomous operation technologies from a safety perspective. Based on these experiences, ClassNK released its ‘Guidelines for Automated/Autonomous Operation of ships (Version 2.0)’ which comprehensively summarizes the requirements for each stage of conceptual design, design development, installation, and maintenance during the operation of automated/autonomous operation technologies.

Image of ‘Berthing and unberthing Assistance System-Human Machine Interface’
(courtesy: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd)

For the concept design of ‘Safety Berthing/Unberthing Assistance System’, ClassNK conducted its safety review based on the requirements of ‘Guidelines for Automated/Autonomous Operation on ships (Ver.2.0)’ and ‘Part D of Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships’. Having confirmed its compliance with the requirements, ClassNK issued the AiP.

Furthermore, for the ‘Berthing and Unberthing Assistance System – Human Machine Interface,’ ClassNK has granted an Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions*², which supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certification for equipment and software technology with innovative functions.
Source: ClassNK