Russian autonomous ship navigation system granted AiP

The Kronshtadt Group is described as a designer and developer of technology products and solutions for the aircraft manufacturing, defence, security and transportation industries. The company has developed the a-Nav set of technical solutions which has been approved for use on board ships involved in autonomous navigation system trials.

RS has reviewed the extensive documentation, including the concept of application of the a-Nav system, description, and structure charts of the a-Nav systems and their elements, equipment layout drawings, risk assessment reports and system testing techniques.

The a-Nav solutions include the autonomous navigation system, the optical surveillance and analysis system and the fixed or mobile remote control centre.

Additionally, the motion and manoeuvring control system and the ship’s propulsion plant and machinery control and monitoring system may be installed on board.

Currently, the a-Nav set of technical solutions is installed on board three RS-classed ships involved in the field operation sea trials of autonomous ships flying the Russian Federation flag. A decision on applying the systems, along with traditional navigation and automation equipment, on board ships that do not participate in the trials will be taken based on the trial results.

JSC Kronshtadt Technologies chief executive Andrey Rodionov said, "The system was tested by us as an adviser to the navigator on board the ship, in the format of an electronic tablet with cartography. It offers the navigator optimal manoeuvring for diverging from potentially dangerous targets that exclude the risk of collisions, which comply with International Regulations of Preventing Collision at Sea/COLREGs.”

“During the development of the concept, we studied and modelled all possible risks associated with its future application."

He also noted that the AiP, and the experience of operating equipment for unmanned navigation gained with shipowners, form the legal foundations for further developing safe and effective autonomous navigation in the Russian Federation.

RS director general Konstantin Palnikov said, “The keystone of the RS activities that support the industry’s efforts in shaping up the autonomous shipping regulatory framework process is to verify the adequate navigation safety and tracking level for an autonomous or remotely controlled ship is met. We place special emphasis on cyber safety. In close co-operation with the industry, we have elaborated the joint vision on ensuring the cyber safety.”

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