NYK Shipmanagement Intros Digital Guidance for ECDIS

Singapore-based NYK Shipmanagement, a wholly owned subsidiary of NYK Group, has created “iPlus ECDIS,” digital guidance for the operation of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS).

The new digital program will help officers to become experts in the use of ECDIS over a shorter time by providing detailed guidance that covers 66 ECDIS operations to improve the efficiency of onboard duties.

According to a press note from NYK, much time is required for officers to become proficient in the use of ECDIS because it differs according to manufacturer and model, and operation requires many steps.

Even newer versions of ECDIS vary significantly from older versions made by the same manufacturer and can be challenging to operate. Initial steps in a menu can differ greatly from version to version, as can subsequent steps, it said.

"Moreover, many steps can often be required to accomplish a task, so officers can require a lot of time to learn the use of ECDIS. iPlus ECDIS was thus created to provide quick educational guidance in a digital platform to assist officers and improve their speed of use," it said.

This digital guide is currently being distributed to 200 NYK ships, and will soon expand to ships managed by the NYK Group.