Splash247: LR approves camera-based solution to boost boxship cargo capacity

Published by Splash247

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded approval in principle to HD Hyundai Samho for a container ship design standard that supports NAV1 compliance, centred on a remote camera system delivering a continuous 360-degree field of view around a container ship.

The AiP addresses a key challenge: as shipowners seek to maximise cargo efficiency, higher container stack heights can create blind spots and reduce visibility from the wheelhouse.

Under LR’s NAV1 notation, which requires an unobstructed 360-degree field of view from the bridge, this can limit maximum container intake.

The approach aims to extend visibility beyond bridge limits and support safer navigation in congested waters and restricted operating conditions, while helping to maximise container loading. The concept combines system design, risk assessment and configuration review to demonstrate how camera-based vision can be assessed against NAV1 requirements.

For yards, this offers a more structured pathway to certification. For operators, it signals how digital bridge systems could be deployed in practice without compromising safety or regulatory confidence. By establishing a class-backed design framework, the project provides a clearer route to compliance, helping to reduce technical uncertainty and avoid redesign later in the approval process.

“The maritime industry is moving quickly towards more digital and connected operations. What owners and builders need now is clarity on how these systems will be assessed and approved. This work helps bridge that gap, turning new technology into something that can be applied with confidence,” said Sung-Gu Park, president for northeast Asia at Lloyd’s Register.

“This collaboration strengthens our capability to integrate digital navigation technologies into future newbuilds. Developing the concept alongside classification requirements from the outset reduces technical risk and supports more efficient delivery of advanced vessel designs. Most importantly, it enables us to offer clients unparalleled container loading efficiency and stronger economic value,” added Hakmu Shim, EVP at HD Hyundai Samho.