ClassNK has issued a Technology Qualification (TQ) certification for the SAS-IBS, one of the components of the Samsung Autonomous Ship (SAS) Navigation System developed by Samsung Heavy Industries.
“Technologies related to Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) are being actively developed to reduce human error, alleviate crew workload, and address labor shortages,” the entity stated.
“To support the implementation of these technologies, ClassNK has published its Guidelines for Technology Qualification, which enable the safety assessment of novel technologies not covered by existing regulations,” it added.
The SAS, developed by Samsung Heavy Industries, is an Autonomous Navigation System (ANS) that includes situational awareness functions to recognize the own ship and its environment, action planning to avoid collisions and groundings, and trajectory control via autopilot.
The SAS-IBS is a software designed to assess the risk of collisions and groundings with nearby vessels and other obstacles, generate safe routes to avoid such risks, and provide alert management functions based on its operational design domain.
ClassNK examined the SAS-IBS in accordance with its Guidelines for Technology Qualification, including novelty assessment, risk analysis, simulation tests, and certification validation. After confirming that the essential functions for achieving autonomous navigation meet the requirements, ClassNK issued the certification.
“ClassNK will continue to support the implementation of /operation technologies through the establishment of standards and technical verification,” the company concluded.
