MTI Develops MT-FAST Fuel-Saving Indicator

February 14, 2008

Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI; head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; president: Yutaka Yasunaga), and Tsuneishi Holdings Corporation (head office: Fukuyama City, Hiroshima; CEO: Katsushige Kambara) have jointly developed a new fuel-saving device, called "MT-FAST", which can be fitted to a vessel's hull.

Under the dual pressures of environmental concerns and escalating raw-material prices, the need and desire to save fuel is great. In order to answer these pressing social needs, the NYK Group has developed a highly versatile hull appendage as a means of saving energy.

MT-FAST is one of the pre-swirl stator type device that is attached to a ship's hull just forward of the propeller, and improves the flow of water around the propeller in order to improve the function of the propeller. It has been demonstrated experimentally that the appendage can realize a fuel-savings of around 4 percent. In addition to being able to be fitted to new vessels, MT-FAST can be retroactively fitted to existing vessels.

The NYK Group plans to fit the first MT-FAST to a wood-chip carrier that NYK will start operating from June. After that, NYK will fit the fuel-saving hull appendage to other NYK and NYK Group bulk carriers. By analyzing and testifying the fuel-saving effects of the appendage during actual sea voyages, MTI and NYK will work toward further improvements of the device (patent applied for).

About MT-FAST

By slowing down the movements when they adjust fuel injection, the new governors control excessive fuel consumption, compared with conventional governors. Over the course of a year, fuel savings are 0.5% to 2%, compared with conventional governors. Moreover, the more rough the seas, the greater the fuel savings.

The new appendage was named by combining the first initials of its developers, MTI and Tsuneishi, as well as the first letters of the words that describe the device's features: falcate, attachable, and stator (trademark registration applied for).

Should you have any inquires regarding this news release, please feel free to contact the following individuals:

MTI (Monohakobi Technology Institute)

TEL: +81-3-5222-7877
E-mail: hisashi_komiyama@monohakobi.com