Completed Projects (FY 2014)

List of projects completed by MTI in FY 2014

Maritime Information Field

Improvement of NYK's marine broadband

We enhanced convenience of the marine broadband service. Further, we investigated and streamlined the ship-to-shore communication system for sharing various data between ship and shore.

Development of a support tool to realize optimal bunkering (Phase 3)

In phase 3, we further enhanced functions of the support tool by scrutinizing information and functions needed for the actual operation, based on the requests that came out during the trials.

Engine department monitoring (Phase 3)

We developed an application for more fuel saving and operational improvement by utilizing engine department monitoring data.

Research on analysis and use of operation and cargo data of LNG carriers

We considered ship operation, collecting and analyzing cargo-management data, and how to send data to shore, and developed a method.

Research on the utilization of satellite AIS information (Phase 2)

Regarding the operational information of each vessel by AIS (Automatic Identification System) that can be received over a broader sea area than ever, we considered development and new uses of a tool based on needs from both sales and technical points of view and obtained new knowledge.

Research on improved precision in the measurement of sea speed (Phase 2)

For commercialization of a Doppler-type multi-layered sea-speed meter, we tested the measurement accuracy and confirmed the schedule for the commercialization.

Maritime Technology Field

Participation in joint research on the development of new-material propellers (Phase 2)

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 as a user and obtained knowledge of the design of composite-material propellers, energy-saving devices, and hull-form planning.

Participation in the REFIT2Save Joint Industry Project by MARIN (Phase 4)

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

Participation in the Wind Challenger Project

[Final year of a five-year project]
We participated in the final year of the Wind Challenger Project, a joint-industry project led by Tokyo University. We planned an onshore test of the demonstration model and the proposal of ships deploying hard sails, and tested the propulsion of the sails and the load on the sails that had been simulated in the past.

Research on the derating of main engines with consideration of the operating profiles of ocean-going containerships

We estimated the energy-saving effects gained by derating main engines optimized for actual operating profiles. In addition, we examined the needed costs and time and summarized materials for judging whether a derating construction is to be carried out or not.

Research on hull-form optimization of ocean-going containerships

We optimized ship's hull forms according to the actual operating profiles such as draft and vessel speed.

Verification of effects of hull-form-optimization retrofit with consideration of the operating profiles of ocean-going containerships

We verified the energy-saving effects of hull-form optimization by evaluating the propulsion performance of ocean-going containerships after retrofitting.

Research on the adhering of aquatic organisms on ship bottoms (Phase 3)

We developed a prototype of an automatic device that uses video analysis to monitor barnacle larvae and prevent the adhering of aquatic organisms on ship bottoms.

0.5% SOx EGCS (Phase 0)

As a countermeasure for the beginning of 0.5% SOx emission limits worldwide starting from 2020 or 2025, we researched related regulation trends and investigated not only the 0.5% SOx scrubber itself but also a total solution for ship operations and port facilities.

Project on the application of air-lubrication systems on PCC

We evaluated the energy-saving effects of air-lubrication systems on PCC.

Development of Kirari NINJA (Phase1)

Focusing on main engine cylinder liners, we streamlined new criteria and liner-surface-processing conditions and created a prototype in preparation for onboard tests to establish the criteria of maintenance by data analysis, such as the pistons' total travel distance and total thermal load, and the wear measurement of cylinder liners and captured images.

Demonstration of CO2 and NOx emission-reduction technology utilizing the EGR system of a large marine diesel engine

[Second year of a four-year project]
As a demonstration of CO2 and NOx emission-reduction technology utilizing the EGR* system of a large marine diesel engine, we controlled Tier II-compliant engines to improve fuel efficiency, and conducted an onboard trial. This research study, which Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., ltd., NYK, and MTI are jointly participating in, was selected by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) for one of the "Support Projects for R&D in Next-Generation Marine-Environmental Technology Development."
*EGR: exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is an effective strategy for controlling NOx emissions from diesel engines. The EGR reduces NOx by bringing back part of the exhaust gas for reuse in engine combustion.

Development of the systems and technology of air-lubrication systems for existing ships

[Second year of a four-year project]
We conducted R&D on the development of a tool to estimate the effects of energy-saving, on the development of the systems and technology for existing ships, and on the establishment of measures to improve the energy-saving effects. This project was selected as one of the "Support Projects for R&D in Next-Generation Marine-Environmental Technology Development" by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).

Logistics Field

R&D on a positioning device utilizing a satellite system

To advance technologies in managing the positioning of cargoes, we conducted R&D on positioning technology utilizing GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and on the technology to improve the accuracy of positioning.

R&D on the positioning device without utilizing the satellite system

To advance positioning technologies for cargoes stored indoors, we conducted R&D on positioning technology that does not utilize a satellite system and on indoor/outdoor seamless positioning.

Research on technology to prevent transport accidents from dozing and prostration

We conducted investigation and evaluation to provide technologies that effectively prevent transport accidents from dozing and prostration in drivers.

Research on the utilization of in-vehicle tags for auto logistics

We investigated the standardization guideline for in-vehicle passive tags (RFID), which is under development at the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc., and also considered the requirements for introducing in-vehicle active tags on site and evaluated a prototype.

Research on new technologies and services to improve auto-logistics operations

We evaluated the basic performance of new tools such as wearable devices, including Smart Glass and Smart Watch, and drones, which are expected to find application in auto-logistics operations.

Research and investigation to create auto-logistics standards at NYK (Phase1, 2) [Taking part in the SYMPHONY project]

We conducted a field study and job analysis to create the optimum logistics standards for improving the quality of completed-car transportation services, and organized a service menu of the value-added services.