Completed Projects (FY 2013)

List of projects completed by MTI in FY 2013

Maritime Technology Field

Research on optimal trim on containerships utilizing CFD (Phase 1)

By establishing how to create trim charts utilizing CFD, which is a more inexpensive way than using model tank tests, we obtained knowledge of creating trim charts more quickly and inexpensively.

Participation in the REFIT2Save Joint Industry Project by MARIN (Phase 3)

We participated in the REFIT2Save Joint Industry Project organized by the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) and found the energy-saving effect of ship energy-saving devices.

Participation in joint research on the development of new-material propellers (Phase 1)

We participated in "Joint Research of Composite-Material Propellers" (a 2.5-year project) to deploy new-material propellers on ocean-going vessels. We shared our point of view and obtained knowledge of new materials, the design of propellers and ship hulls, and energy-saving effects.

Participation in the Wind Challenger Project (fourth year of a five-year project)

We participated in the fourth year of the Wind Challenger Project, a joint-industry project led by Tokyo University. We obtained knowledge for developing hard-sail ships by testing the propulsion of the sails and the load to the sails that had been simulated in the past.

Research on optimal trim on containerships (Phase 2)

To grasp the trim influence on a containership systematically, we created a trim chart by means of model tank tests and CFD. We obtained knowledge of the trim influence for the propulsion performance.

Research on biofouling of ships' bottoms (Phase 2)

We conducted research and investigation on anti-fouling measures and obtained knowledge for future tasks and improvements.

Research on optimal trim on a low-speed enlarged ship (Phase 3)

We conducted research on changes in the resistance and self-navigation element, and also investigated the trim influence for the required horsepower. In conjunction with model tank tests, we calculated data from an actual ship equipped with SIMS, and verified the results of the model tank tests.

Improvement of fuel-measuring accuracy / development of a tank-sounding device (Phase 2)

In phase 1, we created a prototype of a new tank-sounding scale that can shorten the sounding time and ensure sufficient negotiation time with bunker suppliers, and confirmed problems for its commercialization. In phase 2, we solved those problems and considered more value-added products.

Maritime Information Field

Research on ship structure and cargo lashing considering whipping response in actual sea

We established a method to predict hull fluctuation utilizing wave data by measuring acceleration/shock/ship speed, based on recorded data, reaching probability and conditions of whipping response, testing the safety of ocean-going vessels and cargo lashing, and creating the response function of hull fluctuation and wave based on measured data.

Development of a support tool to realize optimal fuel purchasing (Phase 1)

We developed a support tool to realize optimal fuel purchasing. In phase 1, we succeeded in visualizing fuel price per port and various constraint conditions. We created and evaluated a prototype of the tool for decision-makers to judge bunkering port.

Engine department monitoring (Phase 1)

We targeted streamlining the environment for monitoring the actual values of the planned main engine load by utilizing data from SIMS, etc., and for judging for more speed reduction and the number of operating electric generators on board. In phase 1, we conducted a trial of engine department monitoring and confirmed its effectiveness.

Development of a support tool to realize optimal bunkering (Phase 2)

In phase 2, by enhancing the function of the support tool, we created the management cycle (PDCA cycle) to save bunkering cost, and streamlined the sustainable system infrastructure for its actual operation; thus, we can expand this tool to vessel types other than containerships.

Participation in the Smart Ship Application Platform organized by the Japan Ship Machinery & Equipment Association (Phase 1)

MTI is a member of the Smart Ship Application Platform organized by the Japan Ship Machinery & Equipment Association. We cooperate in efforts to standardize data collection from ship machinery and equipment.

Logistics Technology Field

Development of transportation environment real-time monitoring equipment (Phase 2)

We newly developed equipment to remotely monitor data on the environment that cargo undergoes during transportation in real time.