lOMoAR cPSD| 15962736 1. Background
Half of marine accidents are said to be caused by human elements such as misrecognition and
misjudgment by officers who operate ships in three shifts 24 hours a day.
Since 2007, NYK, together with navigation equipment makers and shipbuilders, has been studying
how to improve the bridge to enhance navigational watch efficiency and decease human error. 2. New Concept
a. Integrated Navigation Console with Seats
Generally, various nautical instruments and maneuvering equipment are located independently on
the bridge, so officers must move around the bridge to gather navigational information. They must
navigate the vessel while standing.
In contrast, the new concept makes use of an integrated console that is about two-thirds the size of
a conventional one and enables officers to check essential navigational information and navigate the
vessel at the same time. A seat helps officers better grasp the situation around the ship.
Moreover, a joystick type autopilot system for navigation has been adopted to better avoid collisions
with other vessels and help officers in a sitting position easily maneuver the vessel. Moreover, a mini
manual wheel has been installed on the console for steering in an emergency, taking safety into consideration. b. Bridge Optimization
The new bridge has been equipped with lager windows, and the gap between the windows has been
minimized to reduce dead visibility angles. Wipers are now operated by remote control. And the
shape of the bridge has been optimized to ensure clear sight from a sitting position. The layout has
also been enhanced to improve the work environment and reduce weariness during navigational watches.
At the bridge wing, a narrow walkway extends outward from both sides of a pilothouse, allowing the
ship to be maneuvered for entering/leaving harbor and berthing/un-berthing operation. This wing
takes advantage of large windows and floor windows, and is equipped with an integrated control
stand that can remotely control the main propulsion, rudder and bow thruster. A multi-function
display, a workstation that can conduct some tasks at the same time, such as checking and
operating navigational information, the radar, and ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information
System), is also located on the wings.
c. Installation of J-Marine NeCST Ship Navigation Support Tool
J-Marine NeCST, which was jointly developed by NYK, MTI Co. Ltd., and Japan Radio Co. Ltd. to
make briefings among the officers and the pilot more efficient, has also been installed on the bridge.
This wil help NYK improve bridge resource management, or BRM, even when many officers are on
the bridge conducting navigational watches during heavy vessel traffic. (BRM is a management
method for preventing the occurrence of a major accident in the event of human error or mechanical failure.) lOMoAR cPSD| 15962736 3. Future Developments
NYK has decided to adopt this new bridge on pure car and truck carriers and crude oil tankers, and
is currently considering other types of vessels. NYK also plans to make use of this advancement as
the company looks ahead to manned autonomous ships.
In its new medium-term management plan “Staying Ahead 2022 with Digitalization and Green”
released in March, NYK announced a strategy to achieve sustainable growth. The NYK Group wil
continue to boost digitalization by making use of the group’s operational expertise to realize safer
and more efficient operations and create new value. CG (above)
Courtesy of Japan Radio Co. Ltd. lOMoAR cPSD| 15962736 CG (right front)
Courtesy of Japan Radio Co. Ltd. CG (whole)
Courtesy of Japan Radio Co. Ltd. lOMoAR cPSD| 15962736
Actual photo (left front) Actual photo (console) lOMoAR cPSD| 15962736
Actual photo (wing-outside)
Actual photo (wing-inside)