Test conducted in the cargo hold and ballast tank while the vessel was in service.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL) said Thursday it had participated in the successful testing of aerial drones to inspect an MOL-operated coal carrier in service.
Also participating in the test were Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, Hitachi Systems Ltd. and Mitsui Co. Ltd.
The test included a simulated ship inspection inside the cargo hold and ballast tank using video shot from an aerial drone. MOL said the test verified the effectiveness of using drones to monitor rust, corrosion and the presence of cracks.
Traditionally, maintenance and inspection work is conducted by assembling scaffolds during dry docking. The use of drones is expected to contribute to improved operational safety and efficiency, MOL said.
MOL inspects coal carrier with aerial drones
