National Standard | GB/T 46851-2025 on Collision Avoidance Systems for Intelligent Ships Officially Released

The Chinese national standard GB/T 46851-2025, Intelligent Ship—Technical Requirements and Test Method for Collision Avoidance Systems, has been approved by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China.

Led by China Classification Society (CCS), with BOTIX Inc. serving as the second-listed drafting organization, the standard will take effect on July 1, 2026. It provides standardized guidance on the technical requirements and testing of collision avoidance systems for intelligent ships.

Intelligent ships represent an important direction for the future of shipping, and collision avoidance systems are a critical component affecting both autonomous navigation safety and vessel intelligence.

The new standard defines the system architecture and operational design domain of an intelligent ship collision avoidance system. It specifies functional requirements covering situation assessment, local path planning, system displays, alarms, and related functions. It also establishes a library of representative test scenarios based on the principles of regulatory compliance, safety, and reasonable system behavior.

Drawing on its extensive experience in maritime autonomy, BOTIX actively contributed to the discussion and drafting of the standard. Its long-term technology development and full-scale vessel testing provided important technical input and practical reference.

During the drafting process, BOTIX worked closely with more than 30 companies, research institutions, and other participating organizations. This extensive collaboration helped ensure that the standard is scientifically grounded, practical to implement, and measurable.

The publication of the standard will help improve autonomous navigation safety and collision avoidance capabilities, establish consistent technical and testing requirements, and support the continued technological and industrial development of intelligent ships.

Standards provide more than a foundation for consistent industry development. They also help translate technological innovation into practical applications. BOTIX’s participation reflects industry recognition of the company’s technical capabilities and provides an opportunity to consolidate its R&D and testing experience into a shared framework for intelligent vessel development.

Looking ahead, BOTIX will continue to strengthen its independent innovation capabilities and develop an innovation system centered on technology, intellectual property, and standards. By working with universities, research institutions, and value-chain partners, the company will contribute to the development of standards for autonomous vessel navigation and support the high-quality advancement of intelligent shipping in China.