Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has announced the establishment of a Smart Shipping Office, effective 1 December 2016.

The new organisation will promote MOL Smart Ship Project through innovation based on the utilisation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The Smart Shipping Office will contribute to more advanced vessel operation and ship management by combining MOL’s expertise and the underlying seed technologies of ICT, as well as make shipping services more convenient for customers by adding new value to shipping.

“In addition, the (Smart Shipping) Office will work to realize one of new technological development project concepts, ‘advanced support technologies for safer vessel operation’, with the ultimate goal of autonomous sailing,” MOL stated.

The advanced support technologies for safer vessel operation, along with technologies for reducing environmental impact, fall under the Smart Ship Project, through which MOL will share its technological development policies with customers and stakeholders, and therefore collect diversified needs and various seeds of technologies.

Source: seatrade-maritime.com