• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.66-74
• /
• 2023

With the increase of interest in developing Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), an optimal ship route planning is gradually gaining popularity as one of the important subsystems for autonomy of modern marine vessels. In the present paper, an optimal ship route planning model for MASS is proposed using a nonlinear MPC approach together with a nonlinear MMG model. Results drawn from this study demonstrated that the optimization problem for the ship route was successfully solved with satisfaction of the nonlinear dynamics of the ship and all constraints for the state and manipulated variables using the nonlinear MPC approach. Given that a route generation system capable of accounting for nonlinear dynamics of the ship and equality/inequality constraints is essential for achieving fully autonomous navigation at sea, it is expected that this paper will contribute to the field of autonomous vehicles by demonstrating the performance of the proposed optimal ship route planning model.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.298-305
• /
• 2021

Identifying the effect of turning characteristics on collision avoidance for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) can provide a key to avoid the collision of MASS. The purpose of this study was to derive a method to identify the effect of turning characteristics, which can be changed by various rudder angles and the ship's speed, on collision avoidance. The turning circle was observed using a mathematical model of a 161-meter-long ship, and it was analyzed that the turning circle had an effect on collision avoidance through numerical simulations of collision avoidance for four collision situations of two ships. The evaluation results using the two variables, the minimum relative distance between two ships and the minimum time at the minimum relative distance, demonstrated that the rudder angle has a major influence on the change of the minimum relative distance, and the ship's speed has a major influence on the change of the minimum time. The evaluation method proposed in this study was expected to be applicable to collision avoidance as a measures in remote control of MASS.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
• /
• 2021.11a
• /
• pp.78-80
• /
• 2021

This study is based on Degree of Recognition and AHP surveys for experts, this study investigates changes in the demand of seafarers in response to changes in the shipping industry environment in which Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships(MASS) emerge according to the application of the fourth industrial revolution technology to ships, and it looks into changes in seafarers' skills. It also analyzes and proposes a plan for cultivating seafarers accordingly. As a result of Degree of Recognition and AHP analysis, it is analyzed that a new training system is required because the current training and education system may cover the job competencies of emergency response, caution and danger navigation, general sailing, cargo handling, seaworthiness maintenance, emergency response, and ship maintenance and management, but jobs such as remote control, monitoring diagnosis, device management capability, and big data analysis require competency for unmanned and shore based control.By evaluating the importance of change factors in the duties of seafarers in Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, this study provides information on seafarers educational institutions response strategies for nurturing seafarers and prioritization of resource allocation, etc. The importance of factors was compared and evaluated to suggest changes in the duties of seafarers and methods of nurturing seafarers according to the introduction of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships.It is expected that this study is meaningful as it systematically derived the duties and competency factors of seafarers of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships from a practical point of view and analyzed the perception level of each relevant expert to diagnose expert-level responses to the introduction of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.256-265
• /
• 2021

Ground, sea and air mobility, such as vehicles, ships, and airplanes, are generally operated by people. Based on the innovative development of autonomous decision-making systems and artificial intelligence (AI) following the recent fourth industrial revolution, research and development on maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) is been actively performed around the world. Before the realization of the commercialization of MASS in international maritime transport, it is urgent to clarify the characteristics of this ship and its international legal status. This paper aims to analyze the concern of whether a ship without crew members will eventually be operated as a fully unmanned ship or can be recognized as a ship under international law as the number of crew members is gradually reduced owing to the development stage of autonomous ships. Consequently, based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), it was found that MASS has the same international legal status as general ships. In addition this paper presents the working principles of enacting and revising the IMO Conventions and international legal measures necessary for the safe operation of MASS.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
• /
• 2021.10a
• /
• pp.18-20
• /
• 2021

In order to prevent collision accidents of ships, which has been increasing recently, research on artificial intelligence-based autonomously operated ships (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship, MASS) is underway. However, most of the studies related to autonomous ships mainly target medium-to-large ships due to the size and cost of the autonomous navigation system, and the sensors used here have a problem in that it is difficult to mount them on small ships. Therefore, this paper provides a path tracking system equipped with GPS and IMU sensors for autonomous operation of small ships. GPS and IMU sensors are utilized to determine the exact position of the vessel, which allows the proposed system to manually control the small vessel model to create a path and then when the small vessel travels the same path. Use the Pure Pursuit algorithm to follow the path. As a result, In this research, it is expected that a lightweight and low-cost sensor can be used to develop an autonomous operation system for small ships at low cost.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.992-1001
• /
• 2022

The maritime traffic analysis has been conducted in various ways to solve problems arising from the complex marine environment. However, recent trends in the maritime industry, such as the development of the maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS), suggest that maritime traf ic analysis needs change. Accordingly, based on the studies conducted over the past decade for improvements, automatic identification system (AIS) data is mainly used for maritime traffic analysis. Moreover, the use of geographic information that directly af ects ship operation is relatively insufficient. Therefore, this study presented a method of using a combination of shape format data and AIS data to enhance maritime traffic analysis in preparation for the commercialization of autonomous ships. Consequently, extractable marine traffic characteristics were presented when shape format data were used for marine traffic analysis. This is expected to be used for marine traffic analysis for the introduction of autonomous ships in the future.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.57-65
• /
• 2023

In 2017, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted MSC.428 (98), which recommends establishing a cyber-risk management system in Ship Safety Management Systems (SMSs) from January 2021. The 27th International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) also discussed prioritizing cyber-security (cyber-risk management) in developing systems to support Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) operations (IALA guideline on developments in maritime autonomous surface ships). In response to these international discussions, Korea initiated the Korea Autonomous Surface Ship technology development project (KASS project) in 2020. Korea has been carrying out detailed tasks for cybersecurity technology development since 2021. This paper outlines the basic concept of ship network security equipment for supporting MASS ship operation in detailed task of cybersecurity technology development and defines ship network security equipment interface for MASS ship applications.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.435-440
• /
• 2022

The development and introduction of a Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) are some of the most important changes leading to the fourth industrial era in the maritime area. The term 'MASS' refers to a ship operating independently, without human intervention, to reduce maritime accidents caused by human errors. Recent UK findings MASS also noted that particularly the dynamic positioning system will be considered to apply as newly function to a MASS. The DP system, a ship system developed decades ago and used for specific purposes like offshore operations, provides various functions to facilitate the accurate movements of the vessel, and operators can make decisions within the DP system, in addition to the ordinary ship system. In this paper, it would like to present the connection and application method with the main technical elements of the DP system in connection with the main technology of the DP system to achieve the safe operation of a MASS. In particular, among various position reference systems, the capability plot function of DP system, and the "follow target" mode in the operation mode are attractive functions that can contribute to the safe operation of autonomous ships.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
• /
• v.47 no.6
• /
• pp.430-436
• /
• 2023

Study on Changes in Vessel Traffic Services Due to Introduction of Maritime Autonomous Surface ShipsThe development of technologies related to Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) has been actively progressing since the mid-2010s, focusing on themes such as collision avoidance, route planning, digital twin, and communication technologies. On the other hand, research on land-based infrastructure connected with MASS, such as logistics systems, port facilities, and vessel traffic services, has relatively received less attention. This study analyzed impact of emergence of MASS on existing vessel traffic service operations and proposed changes in control operations to prepare for its impact. To do this, current vessel traffic service operations were analyzed and elements of MASS technology that could affect vessel traffic control were identified. A survey was conducted among vessel traffic controllers to identify items related to the control of MASS. Results analyzed using the AHP method showed that preparation for emergency response and communication methods with MASS were the most important. Based on this, we were able to derive detailed plans for basic MASS control procedures and emergency response procedures based on data communication within maritime traffic control areas. MASS control procedures proposed in this study are expected to be used as a solution to resolve issues related to traffic safety of MASS in coastal areas.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.395-402
• /
• 2019

The development and operation of the MASS (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship) is being actively discussed for more efficient and safer maritime transportation solutions. The autonomous navigation technology has positive aspects such as the prevention of marine accidents, improvement of fuel efficiency of ships and cost reduction, and negative aspects such as job loss, task change, and security problems. It is expected that there will be new human element issues such as the situation awareness of remote operators, because the shore-based control will be conducted when fully autonomous ships are in operation. In this paper, we consider major human element issues that should be factored in the development and operation of MASS, and suggest a method of HRA (Human Reliability Analysis) for P IFs (Performance Influencing Factors) of the remote operators that are expected according to the shore-based control.