Sitronics KT: Autonomous Navigation System (ANS)

Main article: Bookless navigation, BOE (Unmanned Sea Vessels)

ANS is designed for installation on ships and allows them to move both in automatic and remote control modes. The system can be installed both on new vessels and on vessels in operation. Any vessel can be upgraded to an MHF (Marine Autonomous Surface Vessel).

With the help of special systems, navigation danger is identified, as well as a decision on maneuvering for divergence is made.

2023: Ready for Commercial Operation

A developer of integrated shipping solutions (part of the Sitronics Group) demonstrated key updates to the autonomous navigation system and automatic discrepancy subsystem. The system is ready for commercial operation. Sitronics Group announced this on March 10, 2023.

Shipowners were presented with the functionality of an autonomous navigation system and the associated automatic discrepancy subsystem. Capabilities were demonstrated and tested in a virtual simulation environment that simulates the control of a real autonomous vessel at the company's office.

Sitronics KT has finalized the functionality of the solution. The operation of the automatic divergence subsystem has been improved, including for areas with heavy traffic and maneuvering restrictions. The developers have implemented the capabilities of dynamic scheduling in maneuverable and marine modes, expanded remote control functions, developed and integrated an early warning system, thereby increasing the operator's situational awareness.

Sitronics KT partners were invited to the presentation, who plan to introduce a system of autonomous navigation on their ships, as well as companies that have already become partners of Sitronics KT as part of the test operation of the solution on their ships. Among them are Sovcomflot, Paula Rise, Rosmorport, GUMRF named after Adm. S.O. Makarova and others.

The autonomous navigation system is the core of a-Navigation systems. In real time, it automatically constructs the route of the vessel in accordance with the cruise task (preliminary laying), comprehensive analysis, including taking into account the parameters of its own vessel, and making a decision on maneuvering in accordance with the Convention on International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions of Ships at Sea (MPPSS-72) using information on the target situation, the own vessel, the state of the power plant and the traffic control system.

The systems have been in trial operation since 2021 on the Arctic tanker Mikhail Ulyanov, the Paul Anfisa dry cargo ship, the Rabochaya shalanda and the Redoubt dredger. In 2022 year alone, the operating time of the system was more than 17,000 hours, of which more than 400 hours were in automatic mode.

Autonomous navigation systems reduce the cost of freight transportation by water, as well as increase their safety, reducing the impact of the human factor: in 80% of cases, it is for this reason that emergencies occur on board the ship or on the water, for example, grounding. We have developed a completely Russian product to ensure autonomous navigation and today the degree of readiness of all systems is high. In fact, the solution can be brought to the market for use by the commercial fleet, "said Andrey Rodionov, CEO of Sitronics KT.