News Releases

Introduction of a Computerized Documentation System
for Port Arrival/Departure Formalities

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd .

We would like to inform you that the Company has decided to introduce the computerized documentation system for port arrival/departure formalities (CDS). CDS has been developed jointly by Marine Radio Service, Ltd. (with headquarters in Tokyo), Daiichi Shoji Co., Ltd. (in Tokyo) and Auto Corporation (in Yokohama). CDS is being put into practice onboard the GMDSS-equipped ships under the administration of some group companies specializing in ship management and administration. It will contribute to saving us significantly much manpower in a work process ranging from data input to production of documents.

1.Outline (a system lineup shown as per attached sheet)
On a unit of CD (compact disk) are memorized documents necessary for arrival/departure formalities workable for over 100 countries. Recorded documents are aggregated in number to over 1000 kinds with procedural guidelines for port arrival and departure formalities.

2.Purposes & Background of This-time Introduction

(1)

Since the traditionally full-time post of radio officer was discontinued resulting from adoption of GMDSS, documentary work for port entry and departure has been a burden to ship’s crew members. CDS has been introduced in an attempt to lessen workload weighing on them through automated work processing and to maintain safe navigation of those ships where crews must assume plural duties. We are firmly convinced that this-time introduction will contribute to promotion of safety in navigation, one of our commitments in the Company’s management plan so-called "New K-21."

(2)

All Japan’s Seamen’s Union held a nationwide meeting for three days from November 9, 1999. Lessening load of clerical work was addressed. The Company could timely come to grips with the addressed issue with the support of CDS developed by the above three companies.

3.Schedule for Introduction

(1)

CDS is to be introduced in the first week of December 1999 and operated on a trial basis.

(2)

The results during the trial-run period are aggregated in January 2000, on a basis of which reviews and modifications of CDS are being carried out.

(3)

Within this fiscal year, the Company is planning to install and practice CDS onboard all the ships under the administration of the group specialized companies.

(4)

It is under consideration to further apply CDS to the ships administered by outside-group specialized companies.
(Kindly contact Auto Co., Ltd. for further information and questions. Tel. No. 045-932-8511)

4.Schedule for Discipline

(1)

The Company employed a well-experienced and excellent Philippine radio officer as a future instructor at "K"LINE Manila Training Center. A Japanese radio officer from "K"LINE here had trained the employed radio officer. The discipline completed in the first week of November 1999. He is expected to implement a training plan for the Philippine crews from now.

(2)

Disciplines are going to be carried out for those captains and officers who are to work onboard the ships administered by the group specialized companies.

Kindly contact for further information:

"K"LINE Tokyo Marine Department
Marine Administration Group
	Assistant General Manager	Koji Ito	TEL 03-3595-5768
Marine Personnel Team Manager		Akira Shoji	TEL 03-3595-5762
			FAX 03-3595-6112

(Attached Sheet)

1.Lineup of CDS

(1)

CD-R (able to write in only one time-unable to write over)
On a CD-R is stored the following information.

a list of countries (over 100 countries)

a list of necessary procedural documents country-wise (port-wise)

formats of procedural documents (over 1000 formats)

screens for input of ship’s particulars/crew information

guidelines for production of documents for port arrival/departure with a list of points of attention concerned

(2)

Hardware
CDS is operable with PCs workable with the under-mentioned operating systems (Japanese and English versions). A CD - Rom drive is needed.

DOS/V

Windows 95

Windows 98

Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (after Service Pack 3)

above Mac OS 7.1 in functionality

(3)

Printer
CDS is operable with any printer compatible with PCs mentioned under (2).

2.How to Use CDS

(1)

First, you make choice of a nation whose port you want to enter and check up what documents must be prepared. A list of necessary documents functions in itself as a menu bar. Clicking a name (of document), the required document appears on the screen.

(2)

You proceed to input requisites into a format of the appearing document. Unlike a typewriter, you can work on documentation utilizing the convenient and flexible word-processor functions of “delete” and “correct.” It can help upgrade efficiency in work performance.

(3)

Reference is made to the common/applicable items such as main items attributable to a ship. Once those items have been set in at an initial time, they can be automatically assigned to each document concerned, which eventually can earn you significant reduction of your input work.

(4)

In case any question arises during your input work, it is possible to refer to the right guideline for documentation at any time. }
Electronically, you can jump and refer to the inherent arrival/departure formalities that each port requires users to follow.

(5)

When finishing input work you proceed to print out. CDS also is able to output documents written with exactness in local languages such as Arabian and Chinese etc. It will enable you to use the printouts as documents for port arrival/departure.

Plan & Development : Marine Radio Service, Ltd.
	(TEL:03-3437-5310)
Development & Production : Auto Co., Ltd.	(TEL:045-932-8511)
Sales : Daiichi Shoji Co., Ltd.	(TEL:03-3625-0541)

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