Completed Projects (FY 2015)

List of projects completed by MTI in FY 2015

Maritime Information Field

Research into the quality improvement of SIMS data

We thrashed out the current problems and embedded functions such as filtering and cleansing for improving the SIMS data quality onshore and on board.

Verification of ship performance utilizing SIMS data in actual sea

We carried out some verification tests for several ship types and considered an automatic correction method and tuning method based on the actual data.

Remote monitoring of marine equipment utilizing SIMS data

We tried to acquire onboard data from sources other than VDRs* and data logger, and improved the SIMS infrastructure to share onboard data with equipment manufacturers.
*VDR: vessel data recorder

Research on the utilization of the rolling and pitching of hulls and acceleration data of SIMS

From the aspect of cargo care and safe ship operation, we conducted verification tests of the SIMS data of rocking of hulls and acceleration data.

Trials of introducing SIMS to LNG carriers

Through introducing SIMS to LNG carriers and analyzing the data, we verified the effectiveness of SIMS on LNG carriers.

Improvement of NYK onboard broadband

We took measures for various tasks, such as the occasional difficulty in maintaining stable satellite communication and the slow line speed, to improve the user-friendliness of the NYK onboard broadband.

Digitalization of onboard checklists utilizing mobile devices

We conducted an onboard trial test of a prototype model and considered an effective way for utilizing the collected data.

Research on the multilayer-measurement sea speed meter

We collected actual onboard data to consider the specification details of the Doppler multilayer-measurement sea speed meter.

Research on improving the accuracy of ship-motion prediction utilizing ocean wave spectrum data

Utilizing the ocean wave spectrum, we considered methods for improving the accuracy of ocean wave prediction and the ship-motion prediction.

Research on the satellite AIS data

We considered a new way of utilization by combining the satellite AIS data, ship-operating data, and public data.
*AIS: Automatic Identification System

Maritime Technology Field

Development of Kirari NINJA (Phase 2)

Focusing on main engine cylinder liners, we streamlined new criteria and liner-surface-processing conditions to establish the criteria of maintenance by data analysis involving such factors as the pistons' total travel distance and total thermal load, and by actual wear measurement and the captured images of cylinder liners.

Research on hull-form optimization of ocean-going containerships and the application of retrofitting to other containerships

We applied the hull-form-optimization retrofit, the effectiveness of which was verified in fiscal 2015, to other containerships.

Project on the application of air-lubrication systems on PCC (Phase 2)

We verified the energy-saving effects of the air-lubrication systems on PCC and established an operational method to maximize the effects according to the conditions.

Establishment of a list and selection tool for deciding the best methods to comply with NOx and SOx regulations

For each NOx and SOx regulation, we organized the performance and costs and developed a list and selection tool for deciding which method we should take for newbuildings.

Improvement of the tank-sounding device "Honesty" (Phase 1)

We developed "Honesty," which shortens tank-sounding time and provides more time for negotiation with bunker suppliers when bunkering. We will further improve the device by adding a function to automatically calculate the bunkering amount.

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

[Third 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

[Third 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 conducted as one of the "Support Projects for R&D in Next-Generation Marine-Environmental Technology Development" of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). In the third year, we studied how to maximize the energy-saving effects of air-lubrication systems.

Logistics Field

Development of the solution for enabling slot-in of outdoor-positioning vehicles

We studied hardware and software technologies to improve the positioning accuracy of outdoor-positioning vehicles to judge each positioning slot.

R&D on indoor-positioning solutions

We researched and evaluated the low-cost products that can easily conduct indoor positioning with practical area-level accuracy. In addition, we studied and evaluated the high-accuracy indoor-positioning solutions.

Research on the utilization of passive tags (RFID) on site

We considered the most effective reading method and the automatic-reading method of passive tags for automobile-logistics operations.

Research on new technologies that can be applied to the logistics field

We conducted basic technology research and evaluation on the automation technology that can be applied to the logistics field and on the wearable devices for image and voice recognition.

Research on the quality-standardization method of finished-vehicle transportation

As technological research and development, we brushed up the standard yard-layout procedures and studied the recognition of degrees of fatigue and signs of dozing at finished-vehicle terminals.

Research and investigation to create auto-logistics standards at NYK (Phase 3) [Taking part in the SYMPHONY project]

In the auto-logistics field, we continued promoting the SYMPHONY project for making a difference with our technological strength. The field study and job analysis in Phase 1 demonstrated the usability of a service menu of the value-added services, so we studied it and developed a prototype.