Tokyo: NYK and Weathernews have introduced what they claim is the world's first navigation system for seas covered with ice. In particular, LNG (liquefied natural carriers plying the waters of the Russian Far East and Sakhalin are expected to make good use of this new system, which is the first to employ live reports sent in real time from vessels in operation, thereby preventing possible hull damage in icy conditions.
To encourage safer operations, the NYK Group and Weathernews have jointly developed and introduced this new system, which is based on Weathernews' Ice Routing Service and can be viewed both at sea and on land. The new system can be monitored on the recently introduced 'NYK e-missions', an integrated operation management system which constantly monitors weather to forecast risks that may occur at harbor and on courses being sailed by vessels.
Using Weathernews' proprietary sea-ice forecast model, which is based on updated weather and sea conditions as well as satellite observation data, the navigation system analyses a range of factors including ice distribution and its cohesiveness and thickness, and then forecasts sea-ice conditions for the upcoming two weeks. The information is updated daily.
Ice reports sent from vessels are reflected in real time in the sea-ice forecast model, which can be shared with vessel operators and other NYK Group vessels in operation. [03/03/10]
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