NYK has opened a remote diagnostics center at NYK FIL Maritime E-Training Inc.* in Manila. The center utilizes AI systems that enable continuous monitoring and central management of information to monitor the condition of the engine plants of around 200 NYK-operated vessels equipped with Ship Management Information Systems, or SIMS.**

The platform is a human-centric AI application that leverages multiple sub-systems and is centered on the LiVE for Shipmanager*** operational monitoring system. NYK is now able to leverage quantified data from SIMS to monitor the operational status of the onboard engine plant from shore and provide greater visibility of entire operations to a wider audience.

To enhance monitoring functions and improve efficiency, research and development have been conducted for anomaly detection systems of engine plant and data quality management system (DQMS)**** in collaboration with MTI, combining the experience and domain knowledge of marine engineers with data science. With the aim of practical application, the system aims to reduce fuel consumption and prevent major engine accidents by efficiently and centrally monitoring NYK fleet.

At the center, a data-driven anomaly detection system recognizes anomalies in the operating condition of a ship’s engine plant and, as a result, notifies the center’s experts (marine engineers) of the anomalies and provides the necessary information. The expert, having a specialized knowledge of the engine plant, will use the information provided to investigate possible root causes further and determine the accuracy and severity of the detection results. With increased depth and breadth of information, the Expert-in-the-Loop concept creates a human-computer interaction that is making the most of expert’s time and benefits from collaboration with AI systems.
When an expert determines that further examination is needed, the expert will list out the possible causes of the anomaly, contact the ship management company, and inform other involved parties. The vessel manager at the ship management company will then coordinate with the ship’s crew and advise them to carry out the inspection and repairs when necessary.

By linking our anomaly detection system with the knowledge of our marine engineer, Experts at the center can examine the AI detection results to prevent false alarms, hence build trust in the system. We can then inform the customer of the detection results and provide a description and rationale explanation. Moreover, the system enables a feedback loop from the expert to improve the accuracy of the AI systems.

We will move forward with digital utilization, reduce CO2 through efficient operation, and maintain and provide stable and high-quality logistics by eliminating serious engine plant accidents, aiming to contribute to ESG management by our group and customers.

The NYK Group aims to contribute to ESG management together with its customers by promoting digital transformation, reducing CO2 emissions through efficient operations, and maintaining and providing stable, high-quality logistics through the elimination of major engine plant accidents.

In addition, we seek to provide services that can address customer needs by sharing analyses with operators, ship-management companies and engine manufacturers, and further develop into a center for engine control of autonomous ships in the future.

In addition, by sharing our analysis with operators, ship management companies and engine manufacturers, we hope to provide a service that is responsive to our customers’ needs, enables efficient maintenance troubleshooting and reliability planning and, in the future, develop into an engine control center for autonomous vessels.

Under the medium-term management plan “Staying Ahead 2022 with Digitalization and Green“, NYK will create new value by enhancing the safety, economy, and international competitiveness of its fleet through digital technology.

* NYK FIL Maritime E-Training Inc.
A subsidiary of NYK-FIL Shipmanagement Inc., a Filipino seafaring company owned by NYK. Established in the Philippines in 2000, it conducts training for seafarers assigned to vessels operated by the Group.

**SIMS (Ship Management Information System)
A system developed by the Group for timely sharing of detailed ship data such as operation status, fuel efficiency, and plant status between ships and land.

***LiVE for Shipmanager
An application that gathers various operation data collected by SIMS and enables shipowners and ship-management companies to use it for optimal operation and safe operation with low fuel consumption.

**** DQMS
A combination of process and system, that monitors and ensures the quality of IoT data in the shore data lake with the common goal of assessing and improving the data quality that matters most to the organization.