NYK and MTI technology development project with ClassNK successfully completed

May 4, 2021

NYK and MTI Co. Ltd., an NYK Group company, are pleased to announce the completion of a study on utilizing big data to enhance safe, economical operations through the prevention of vessel machinery plant trouble, a technology development project that the two companies have been working on over the past five years in collaboration with ClassNK.

The study was launched in August 2016 as a joint technology development project with ClassNK for the purpose of reducing vessel machinery plant accidents, especially high-risk accidents that have major societal and cost impacts, by taking advantage of big data in cooperation with shipbuilders, vessel-related manufacturers, and maritime companies. This project had also been selected in 2016 as “Support Projects for R&D in Advanced Safety Technology of Vessels” by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).

Through the study, the below technologies have been developed. Partner companies are indicated in parentheses.

Theme	Result
A Method for Diagnosis of Main Engine Cylinder Condition Using Big Data including Images (IHI Power Systems Co. Ltd.)	Development of a method to safely reduce the amount of lubricating oil consumed to drive an engine using big data from the Kirari NINJA* developed by NYK and MTI and sensors that measure the inside condition of the engine’s combustion chamber.
Prediction and Diagnosis System for preventing boiler serious damage due to shortage of water (Sunflame Co. Ltd.)	Development and implementation of a highly effective means of preventing boiler firing accidents caused by abnormalities in the boiler-drum water-level sensor, with a low implementation hurdle.
Diagnostic System for Prediction of Electric Power Loss (Terasaki Electric Co. Ltd.)	Development of a device to monitor the factors that cause inboard electric power loss, which had not been monitored before, and demonstration of the device’s effectiveness.
Optimal Operation Method for Machinery Plants under Slow Steaming Operation (Nihon Shipyard Co. Ltd.)	Creation of a digital twin of the engine plant, contributing to the deepening of energy efficient operation methods in slow steaming.
Advanced Alarm System with Data Loggers (Terasaki Electric Co. Ltd.)	Implementation of a system to visualize the risk of serious accidents caused by a combination of multiple factors, and confirmation of the system’s effectiveness.
Comprehensive Operation Monitoring System for Oil Purifiers (Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha Ltd.)	Development of a method to ensure the integrity of oil purifiers, which play an important role as pretreatment equipment in the use of marine fuel oil, and maximization of their purification capability.

We will utilize the data acquired in this project for new research and development, and actively provide support to manufacturers with a view to commercialization in the future to pursue improvements in ship safety and economy, and to develop a system for future manned autonomous ships.

On February 3, NYK released the NYK Group ESG Story,** which aims to further integrate ESG into the company’s management strategy. To strongly promote ESG management, NYK is encouraging new value creation as a sustainable solution provider by promoting the use of big data and maintaining and providing stable and high-quality logistics.

* Kirari NINJA
A device that can automatically photograph the interior of a vessel engine’s combustion chamber.
It has the following features.
– Capable of taking photographs in all directions
– Alleviation of workload
– Contribution to safe operation and life-cycle cost reduction