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ClassNK has completed the Technology Qualification (TQ) process for Advanced Routing Simulation and Planning (ARS) developed by Japan Marine Science Inc.
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This marks the first official verification of safety equivalence for an autonomous navigation system under ClassNK’s Technology Qualification Guidelines.
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ARS predicts vessel and nearby ship behavior, providing action plans to avoid collisions and groundings—key for autonomous operations.
ClassNK has officially completed the Technology Qualification (TQ) process for the Advanced Routing Simulation and Planning (ARS) software developed by Japan Marine Science Inc. This milestone is a significant endorsement of the safety and reliability of ARS, a key system in the evolution of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). By issuing its first statement of qualification, ClassNK confirms that the technology meets safety levels comparable to those required by existing maritime regulations.
Supporting the Transition to Autonomous Navigation
As the shipping industry accelerates efforts to address operational challenges such as labor shortages and human error, technologies like ARS play a vital role. ARS enables vessels to anticipate their movement and that of surrounding ships, creating dynamic action plans to prevent collisions and groundings. Its adoption in upcoming demonstration projects on container vessels and passenger ferries marks a practical step toward integrating autonomous navigation into real-world maritime operations.
ClassNK’s Role in Verifying Novel Maritime Technologies
To assess the safety of ARS, ClassNK applied its Technology Qualification Guidelines and Guidelines for Automated/Autonomous Operation on Ships (Ver.1.0). These frameworks are designed to assess emerging maritime technologies that are not yet covered by conventional regulations. The evaluation of ARS involved a comprehensive process including novelty analysis, risk identification, simulation testing, and performance validation.
Verification Process and Safety Assurance
The TQ process confirmed that the core functionalities of ARS—particularly its predictive and planning capabilities—comply with the safety and performance benchmarks set by ClassNK. This validation provides shipowners, operators, and regulators with confidence in the software’s readiness for operational use and sets a precedent for future assessments of autonomous technologies.
Ongoing Support for Automation in the Maritime Industry
With this statement, ClassNK continues its commitment to enabling the safe adoption of autonomous and automated technologies across the maritime sector. Through the development of robust standards and verification methodologies, ClassNK is helping guide the shipping industry toward a more automated, efficient, and safer future.
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Source: ClassNK
