The Soleil ferry, measuring 222 meters in length, reached a maximum speed of 48 km/h during its automated sea trials on the Iyonada Sea, even autonomously docking at the port.
For the first time in the world, a 222-meter-long vehicle ferry has autonomously navigated and traveled a distance of 240 kilometers across Japan’s Iyonada Sea. The ferry is named Soleil and is capable of performing docking maneuvers on its own.
The Soleil ferry operating autonomously on the sea of Japan. (Photo: Nippon Foundation).
The demonstration took place on January 17 as part of the Smart Coastal Ferry project, developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Shin Nihonkai Ferry. This initiative is part of a larger project called Meguri 2040 Autonomous Ship Navigation System by the Nippon Foundation.
Soleil first operated on July 1 last year under the control of a crew. During multiple 7-hour trips covering 240 kilometers between the Shinmoji and Iyonada areas, the ferry’s Super Bridge-X automated navigation system collected data about the route. The demonstration on January 17 marked the first time the system operated independently. During the journey, Soleil achieved a maximum speed of 48 km/h.
Alongside GPS, the navigation system also utilizes multiple infrared cameras to detect and avoid other vessels (both day and night), along with an engine monitoring system to ensure smooth operations. Additionally, Soleil is equipped with an automated docking and undocking system that can rotate and reverse, allowing it to easily dock and depart.
The development of such technologies enhances maritime safety, reduces the need for crew labor, and lowers operational costs, according to Mitsubishi. Several other demonstrations of the Meguri 2040 project are scheduled to take place from January to March.
