Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE) has decided to implement a new Electronic UMS (Unattended Machinery Space) Check System across its managed fleet following a series of operational trials conducted between 2024 and 2026.
The company plans to begin phased deployment of the system around July 2026, aiming to reduce crew workload, enhance onboard safety and improve the use of operational data collected from vessels.
UMS checks are inspection procedures carried out before operating machinery spaces without continuous engine room attendance, such as during nighttime navigation or while vessels are alongside. These inspections typically involve around 1,000 individual checkpoints and have traditionally been recorded manually on paper by engineering crews.
According to K LINE, the new system enables inspection data to be entered through a dedicated smartphone application, replacing paper-based records. The company said the digital approach allows crew members to record information with one hand while using the other for support, helping to reduce slip, trip and fall risks in challenging onboard conditions.
The move is also expected to lower printing and document storage costs, reduce administrative workload and contribute to environmental objectives by eliminating paper records.
Beyond operational efficiency, the system will enable inspection data from individual vessels to be centrally collected and stored for long-term analysis. K LINE said this will support continuous monitoring of equipment conditions, improve the detection of abnormalities and strengthen preventive maintenance efforts.
The company also plans to explore the use of artificial intelligence to analyse the growing data pool and further enhance safety management across its fleet.
According to K LINE, the initiative represents an important step in building a broader digital foundation for vessel operations and reflects its continued focus on adopting new technologies to improve safety, operational efficiency and service quality.
