ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle  for Autonomous Navigation Assistance System “SAS” developed by Samsung Heavy Industries Samsung Autonomous Navigation Assistance System  is partially Autonomous Navigation System including the functions of situational awareness through sensor fusion and electronic navigational chart information, collision and grounding risk assessment, collision and grounding avoidance.

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 experience, ClassNK released its “Guidelines for Automated/Autonomous Operation of ships” which comprehensively summarizes the requirements for each stage of conceptual design, design development, installation, and maintenance during the operation of automated/autonomous operation technologies.

For the concept design of Samsung Autonomous Navigation Assistance System (SAS), ClassNK conducted its safety review based on the requirements of “Guidelines for Automated/Autonomous Operation of ships”. Having confirmed its compliance with the requirements, including clarification of tasks to be automated, and backup systems, ClassNK issued the AiP. ClassNK is also in the process of examining SAS for Technology Qualification (TQ)*1 based on “Guidelines for Technology Qualification”.

ClassNK will continue to improve the environment for the use of automated/autonomous operation technologies by providing standards for advanced initiatives and technological verification.