Japan-based Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) will install cameras and an AI system developed by Israeli firm Captain’s Eye in the cargo holds of most of its LNG-fuelled car carriers in order to provide early fire detection capabilities.
MOL said that the devices would be installed on 10 vessels currently on order. It added that it would consider retrofitting current in-service vessels with the system.
The Captain’s Eye AI system sends an alert to crewmembers onboard the vessel and to the onshore ship management company when it detects abnormal images captured by the cameras.
All MOL car carriers are currently equipped with fire alarms, but the AI-based system is intended to enable faster smoke detection. In addition, images of the cargo hold can be viewed from both the vessel and on land, leading to a faster response in case of fire.
Captain’s Eye AI systems are currently mainly used to detect abnormalities in the engine room and on deck. In collaboration with Captain’s Eye, MOL has conducted demonstration tests using cameras in cargo holds aboard the car carrier Onyx Ace, displaying the AI system’s smoke detection capabilities