NYK and MTI Co., Ltd. (MTI) have received approval from ClassNK for a new maintenance method (CBM method)¹ implemented on NYK-owned coal carrier Noshiro Maru.

In the shipping industry, time-based maintenance (TBM)² is usually practiced, but TBM requires periodic inspections regardless of the condition of the equipment, thus incurring repair costs and impacting the operation schedule.

To address these issues, NYK and MTI, together with ClassNK and Japan Engine Corporation, have been conducting joint research on using CBM to optimize maintenance.

The certified CBM is a method of monitoring the condition of bearings³ of large marine diesel engines through temperature data, a method that was adopted in the "CBM Guidelines, Second Edition"⁴ issued by ClassNK in 2021.

In addition, the Diesel Engine Main Bearing Condition Monitoring System, which visualizes bearing temperature data that can be obtained through sensors installed on the main bearings and ship operation data, has been developed and implemented on the NYK-owned coal carrier Noshiro Maru.

Following its implementation on Noshiro Maru, NYK will consider applying the CBM method to other NYK Group-owned vessels. The NYK Group is also aiming to apply CBM-based maintenance to equipment other than main engine main bearings.

In the future, the NYK Group aims to develop autonomous, next-generation CBMs in which artificial intelligence (AI) constantly monitors the status of engine plants throughout the fleet and determines the timing of maintenance by making use of information such as operating schedules.

By realizing next-generation CBM, we aim to eliminate serious engine accidents, provide efficient and safe operations, and promote ESG management.

On February 3, 2021, NYK released the “NYK Group ESG Story,” which aims to further integrate ESG into the company’s management strategy and promotes activities that contribute to the achievement of the SDGs through business activities. On March 24, 2022, NYK released the updated “NYK Group ESG Story 2022,” which introduces initiatives for integrating ESG into the Group’s management strategies set forth in the "NYK Group ESG Story" and provides a partial explanation of the Group’s sustainable growth strategy from a long-term perspective.

To strongly promote ESG management, NYK will continue to create new value as a sustainable solution provider.

<The NYK Group ESG Story>
A guideline detailing concrete efforts to integrate ESG into management strategies of the NYK Group. Details: https://www.nyk.com/english/news/2021/esg-story_01.html

<The NYK Group ESG Story 2022>
Details: https://www.nyk.com/english/news/2022/20220324_01.html

¹ Condition-based maintenance (CBM)
A maintenance strategy that monitors the actual condition of an asset to determine what and when maintenance needs to be performed, rather than awaiting machinery failure or conducting maintenance on a regular basis.

² Time-based maintenance (TBM)
A maintenance strategy in which replacement cycles are predetermined for equipment and parts that fail periodically

³ Parts supporting a rotating shaft

⁴ CBM Guidelines (Edition 2.0)
Case studies based on risk evaluations of CBM implementation