NYK and MTI Co. Ltd., an NYK Group company, are pleased to announce the completion of a study on utilizing big data to enhance safe, economical operations through the prevention of vessel machinery plant trouble, a technology development project that the two companies have been working on over the past five years in collaboration with ClassNK.
The study was launched in August 2016 as a joint technology development project with ClassNK for the purpose of reducing vessel machinery plant accidents, especially high-risk accidents that have major societal and cost impacts, by taking advantage of big data in cooperation with shipbuilders, vessel-related manufacturers, and maritime companies. This project had also been selected in 2016 as “Support Projects for R&D in Advanced Safety Technology of Vessels” by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).
Through the study, the below technologies have been developed. Partner companies are indicated in parentheses.
| Theme | Result |
| A Method for Diagnosis of Main Engine Cylinder Condition Using Big Data including Images (IHI Power Systems Co. Ltd.) |
Development of a method to safely reduce the amount of lubricating oil consumed to drive an engine using big data from the Kirari NINJA* developed by NYK and MTI and sensors that measure the inside condition of the engine's combustion chamber. |
| Prediction and Diagnosis System for preventing boiler serious damage due to shortage of water (Sunflame Co. Ltd.) |
Development and implementation of a highly effective means of preventing boiler firing accidents caused by abnormalities in the boiler-drum water-level sensor, with a low implementation hurdle. |
| Diagnostic System for Prediction of Electric Power Loss (Terasaki Electric Co. Ltd.) | Development of a device to monitor the factors that cause inboard electric power loss, which had not been monitored before, and demonstration of the device’s effectiveness. |
| Optimal Operation Method for Machinery Plants under Slow Steaming Operation (Nihon Shipyard Co. Ltd.) |
Creation of a digital twin of the engine plant, contributing to the deepening of energy efficient operation methods in slow steaming. |
| Advanced Alarm System with Data Loggers (Terasaki Electric Co. Ltd.) |
Implementation of a system to visualize the risk of serious accidents caused by a combination of multiple factors, and confirmation of the system’s effectiveness. |
| Comprehensive Operation Monitoring System for Oil Purifiers (Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha Ltd.) | Development of a method to ensure the integrity of oil purifiers, which play an important role as pretreatment equipment in the use of marine fuel oil, and maximization of their purification capability. |
We will utilize the data acquired in this project for new research and development, and actively provide support to manufacturers with a view to commercialization in the future to pursue improvements in ship safety and economy, and to develop a system for future manned autonomous ships.
On February 3, NYK released the NYK Group ESG Story,** which aims to further integrate ESG into the company’s management strategy. To strongly promote ESG management, NYK is encouraging new value creation as a sustainable solution provider by promoting the use of big data and maintaining and providing stable and high-quality logistics.
* Kirari NINJA
A device that can automatically photograph the interior of a vessel engine’s combustion chamber.
It has the following features.
- Capable of taking photographs in all directions
- Alleviation of workload
- Contribution to safe operation and life-cycle cost reduction
** NYK Group ESG Story
A guideline detailing concrete efforts to integrate ESG into management strategies of the NYK Group. Details can be found at the following web link:
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