To reduce energy consumption, containerships often sail at a speed that is much slower than the average speed anticipated when the ship was designed and built.
In order to make existing ships more efficient at these slower speeds, NYK and MTI, which is part of the NYK Group, has since 2013 been studying measures such as remodelling a ship’s bulbous bow and installing MT-Fast, a fuel saving device fitted to the submerged part of a ship’s hull to maximise its propulsive efficiency.
By modifying the bulbous bow, it changes the way water flows around the hull, reducing drag and thus increasing speed, range and fuel efficiency.
Remodelling of the bulbous bow; left: before remodelling, right: after remodelling
Big Data analyses using actual voyage data gathered over half a year after the implementation of improvements in June 2014 were conducted by the NYK Group, and a 23% reduction in CO2 emissions was subsequently certified by classification society ClassNK.
The necessary conversion was also verified not to affect the safe operation of the vessel or the operating condition of the engine.
This adoption of energy efficient technology is supported by a grant provided through the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s (MPA) Green Technology Programme and also supported by the ClassNK Joint R&D for Industry Program.
“The NYK Group will also aim for further energy savings by containerships by proceeding with construction based on this new approach now that effective methods (patent pending) for these operating conditions have been established,” NYK said.
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