AR Navigation System Earns Innovation Endorsement Certificate from ClassNK

September 02, 2022

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) today announced that its AR navigation system (Note 1), jointly developed with FURUNO Electric CO., LTD. (President: Yukio Furuno; Headquarters: Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo Prefecture), has acquired certification in the Products & Solutions (P&S) category (Note 2) of Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK)'s new "Innovation Endorsement" certification service tailored to innovative technologies and initiatives.

The AR Navigation System provides visual support to crewmembers during their watch-keeping and ship operations by using augmented reality (AR) technology to superimpose images taken from the bridge and voyage information.

ClassNK, a classification society, certifies products and solutions under the "Innovation Endorsement" certification for products that contribute to enhanced environmental protection and safety at sea by promoting their widespread use and development. Granting of the certification confirms a product's capabilities to improve operating safety through the use of digital technology.
The AR navigation system has already been installed on MOL Group-operated vessels as required, and the group will use this certification as an opportunity to further expand the number of vessels equipped with this system.

MOL continually positions safety as a top priority, and proactively develops and improves products, including this AR navigation system, that contribute to the safety of marine traffic, with the aim of earning customers' continued trust and becoming their first choice for shipping and logistics services.

(Note 1) Please refer to the following URL related to the AR Navigation System.

MOL Press Release:

• December 26, 2017: MOL Jointly Develops Voyage Information Display System Using AR Technology that Will Lead to Autonomous Ships in the Future - Supporting Ship Operation and Watch-keeping to Enhance Safety -
• April 22, 2019: MOL to Install AR Navigation System on 21 VLCCs - Supporting Watch-keeping and Ship Operation during Voyages to Ensure World-leading Level of Safety -
• October 17, 2019: MOL Introduces AR Navigation System at Maritime Conference in Dubai - Introducing ICT-based Ship Operation Tool, Targeting Sea Routes around the World -
• March 8, 2021: MOL Enhances Function of AR Navigation System to support Vessel Navigation -Enhancement Helps Navigators Avoid Dangerous Shallow Areas-

FURUNO Electric Press Release:
August 31, 2022: AR Navigation System(model:AR-100M) Receives Innovation Endorsement Certificate from ClassNK

FURUNO Electric "AR Navigation System" Special Website:
https://www.furuno.com/special/en/envision/

(Note 2) Please refer to the following URL for information about Products & Solutions (P&S) certificate in ClassNK's new certification service "Innovation Endorsement.
https://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/en/activities/techservices/dgd2030/iea/index.html

[MOL Group 5 Sustainability Issues]
MOL Group will contribute to realizing a sustainable society by promoting responses to sustainability issues, which are identified as social issues that must be addressed as priorities through its business.
We anticipate this initiative to contribute especially to the realization of "Safety & Value -Provide added value through safe transportation and our social infrastructure business-" and "Innovation - Innovation for development in marine technology."