NYK's Elder Leader Car Carrier Trials Autonomous Navigation System in Singapore
The NYK-operated car carrier, Elder Leader, equipped with an advanced autonomous navigation system, made its first call at the port of Singapore on April 29, 2026. This event marked a significant demonstration trial conducted by NYK, MTI Co., Ltd., and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to test the interoperability between the vessel's autonomous system and port systems. The Elder Leader is a next-generation car carrier featuring marine DX technologies, including a large-motion mitigation system and a comprehensive onboard Wi-Fi network. It also utilizes liquefied natural gas as fuel, aiming to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The trial was part of a memorandum of understanding signed in 2024 between NYK and MPA to promote decarbonization and digitalization in the maritime sector.