The NYK Line-operated car carrier Elder Leader completed its first call at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on 29 April 2026 as part of a demonstration trial focused on autonomous vessel operations and port system integration.
The trial was conducted jointly by NYK Line, MTI Co., Ltd., and the MPA to assess interoperability between the vessel’s autonomous navigation system and Singapore’s port infrastructure.
Elder Leader is equipped with several maritime digitalisation technologies, including an advanced autonomous navigation system, a large-motion mitigation system, and a vessel-wide onboard Wi-Fi network.
The vessel also operates on liquefied natural gas (LNG), supporting lower carbon dioxide emissions.
The demonstration follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024 between NYK Line and the MPA aimed at advancing decarbonisation, digitalisation, and workforce development across the maritime sector.
According to the companies, the trial was carried out under strict safety controls following a prior risk assessment.
The vessel’s master, bridge team, and a pilot remained onboard throughout operations, while remote pilotage was restricted to channel and fairway navigation.
During the trial, the parties tested the transmission of voyage planning data from the vessel to prototypes of the MPA’s Next Generation Vessel Traffic Management System (NGVTMS).
The demonstration also included the sharing of pilotage route information between shore-based support systems and the vessel, alongside the real-time transfer of operational data and live video feeds.
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The trial additionally assessed the use of the MPA’s Just-in-Time (JIT) platform to support more efficient vessel arrivals and port calls.
The results are expected to contribute to the development of Singapore’s next-generation vessel traffic management infrastructure and shore-based support systems capable of interfacing with autonomous ships.
The project marks another step towards the wider commercial deployment of autonomous navigation technologies within international shipping, as shipowners and ports continue to explore digital solutions aimed at improving operational efficiency and safety.
For more information:
NYK Line – https://www.nyk.com/english/
