Japanese shipping firm Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) is trialling ship hull inspection and maintenance by a drone and image analysis system jointly developed with compatriot company Technos Mihara Corporation.

In a release, K discussed the difficulties involved in inspecting certain hard to access parts of a ship such as the top side of cargo hold or the hull under water.

K Line set up a new department known as AI/Digitalization Promotion Division in January, which is aiming to introduce new technology and improve high-value-added transportation services.

Last week, another Japanese shipping major, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) tested similar technology, using a subsea remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to inspect the submerged areas of the hull of a ship.