Monohakobi Technology Institute News

The design of a pioneering, fully autonomous ship framework has received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS.The fully autonomous ship framework, named APExS-auto (Action Planning and Execution System for full autonomous), was developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI) and Japan Marine Science Inc. (JMS) as part of the fully autonomous ship program MEGURI 2040.ABS worked with MTI and JMS to review the APExS-auto framework in accordance with the ABS Requirements for Autonomous and Remote-Control Functions.

A new study, ‘A quiet revolution - the maritime innovation ecosystem in Japan’, explores the commitments to Internet of Things (IoT)-based ship and crew management already made by corporate Japan, then goes on to offer unique insights into the country’s emerging start-up culture.The report, sponsored by Inmarsat is the first in a series of in-depth profiles into maritime technology and start-ups in specific countries. It builds on ‘Trade 2.0: How start-ups are driving the next generation of maritime trade’…

A Memorandum of Intent covering future collaboration has been signed by the organization orchestrating space programmes for 22 European countries and the coordinators of One Sea, the industry alliance bringing together exponents of autonomous ship technology.The agreement, between One Sea coordinator DIMECC and the European Space Agency (ESA), sets out common objectives to encourage the development of space-based applications to analyse, enable and implement maritime digitalization…

"Koselig" is a Norwegian adjective used to describe situations that give a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation. The NorShipping exhibition and conference, one of the largest in northern Europe, could definitely be described as koselig. Occurring in Oslo, Norway between June 4-7, 2019, the conference featured close to 1,000 exhibitors from around the world. With the prominently featured Blue Economy Hall, terms such as marine sustainability and environmental ocean awareness held the center stage at a number of the events. In true Norwegian fashion, most of the major press announcements were delivered in semi-intimate gathers with copious amounts coffee by maritime CEOs and VPs who enjoyed being called by their first names.

Three 'influencers' in the international maritime sector have joined One Sea,  the industry alliance that brings together leading exponents of autonomous ship technology.Global satellite group Inmarsat and NYK Group research subsidiary MTI (Monohakobi Technology Institute) have joined One Sea as full members, while the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to become a One Sea associate member.One Sea members ABB, Kongsberg Maritime and Wärtsilä ran separate autonomous ship trials off the Finnish and Norwegian coasts at the end of 2018.

While merriam-webster.com is succinct in its definition of ‘autonomous’, ask 10 people in the maritime sector what ‘autonomous’ vessel means to them and the responses vary widely. Achieving autonomous, unmanned operations is not high, today, on the agenda of many (if any) shipowners. What does command their attention? Building ships that are increasingly ‘smart,’ with integrated, connected systems that take on additional decision-making processes while helping to reduce crew size (and cost)…

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), the Monohakobi Technology Institute and Japan Radio have jointly developed a support tool that enables officers to better manage and share navigational information. The tool will be sold by JRC under the name “J-Marine NeCST”. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has made ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) mandatory by 2018 on international voyages by passenger vessels over 500 gross tonnage (GT) and cargo vessels over 3,000 GT. However, additional navigational information cannot be written by hand on ECDIS, as can easily be done on a conventional paper chart. J-Marine NeCST solves that problem by including a very useful input function that lets users write directly on electronic charts.

Tokyo-based Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) Group is not only one of the world’s largest ship owners with a diverse fleet of more than 800 ships, it is a growing global maritime logistics powerhouse. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News visited with Yasuo Tanaka, Senior Managing Corporate Officer, Naval Architect, in Tokyo for his insights on the company’s continued efforts to invest in operational efficiency. The story of NYK cannot start without a look at the numbers, because the numbers tell the story in a most impressive fashion.

Tokyo-based shipping line NYK Group (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) has decided to establish a new company, Symphony Creative Solutions (SCS) in Singapore, to develop and market new solutions in the shipping and logistics fields. NYK, along with its subsidiaries, the Monohakobi Technology Institute and NYK Business Systems, has teamed up with Weathernews and Kozo Keikaku Engineering for the new venture to further the development of the Symphony Project. This joint development project was selected by NYK’s Creative Solutions Development Fund during the fund’s first call for applications. The NYK Group continually promotes creative solutions, as upheld in its medium-term management plan “More Than Shipping 2018…

NYK’s Ship Information Management System (SIMS), jointly developed by NYK and the Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI; head office: Tokyo; president: Makoto Igarashi), has been recognized with Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award at the 2015 Eco-Products Awards.* An awards ceremony was held on December 10, 2015, and attended by Yasuo Tanaka, NYK senior managing corporate officer, and Makoto Igarashi, president of MTI. By employing SIMS on vessels, detailed data can be timely shared between onboard crew and land-based operation staff. Such data includes precise hourly updates on conditions of operation and fuel consumption. The NYK Group currently installs SIMS on vessels of various types, and it has become a key system utilizing big data.

NYK’s Ship Information Management System (SIMS), jointly developed by NYK and the Monohakobi Technology Institute has been recognized with Japan’s 2015 Minister of the Environment Award in the Technical Development and Commercialization category. An awards ceremony was held on December 2, 2015, and attended by Yoshiyuki Yoshida, NYK managing corporate officer, and Makoto Igarashi, president of MTI. By employing SIMS on vessels, detailed data can be timely shared between onboard crew and land-based operation staff. Such data includes precise hourly updates on conditions of operation and fuel consumption. NYK started employing SIMS on containerships in 2012 for energy-saving operations…

NYK and the Monohakobi Technology Institute  have jointly developed “Kirari NINJA” (patent pending), a device that can automatically photograph the interior of a vessel engine’s combustion chamber. Currently, in order to inspect a combustion chamber, crew has to enter the inside of the engine after having stopped the engine. Because it is dark inside, it is hard to see in detail, so the crew is required to work long and hard there in high temperatures. This device, jointly manufactured with Daito Electron Co. Ltd., is composed of a panoramic camera and lighting. By installing it on the upper part of the piston in the combustion chamber, photographs in all directions of the interior can be taken during one round of vertical piston movement (approximately 10 minutes).

The Ship Information Management System (SIMS) jointly developed by NYK and the Monohakobi Technology Institute has been recognized with a special award from the Japan Institute of Navigation. An awards ceremony was held on July 27, 2015, and attended by Koichi Akamine, NYK senior managing corporate officer; Makoto Igarashi, president of MTI; and Hideyuki Ando, a senior general manager at MTI. The Japan Institute of Navigation is a public incorporated association for the purpose of contributing to the academic advance of navigation. This special award is bestowed for achievements in practical fields related to navigation, and this year marks the 13th time the annual award has been presented.

NYK and the Monohakobi Technology Institute have jointly developed a Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS) check system, the first time a Japanese shipping company has developed such a system. In a conventional UMS check, the person in charge monitors equipment by conducting a large number of checks, manually recording the collected data on paper. This new electronic UMS check has been specialized for mobile devices, and NYK aims to introduce it aboard its owned vessels by the end of this year. System features are as below. Notifies operator if abnormal figures are entered, allowing the operator to quickly respond. Helps crew to quickly become aware of abnormalities, and is thus a useful training tool too.

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. finished building an 82,000-mt D/W type bulk carrier Ultra Lion on January 7, 2015, marking the completion of the builder’s 200th Kamsarmax model vessel. Built by Tsuneishi Group Shipbuilding, Inc. at Zhoushan City in the Zhejiang Province of China, the Ultra Lionwill be delivered to buyer KambaraKisen Co., Ltd. The first Kamsarmax bulk carrier was completed in February of 2005. After 9 years, 11 months and 200 ships, the Kamsarmax vessels account for the top share of more than 28% of all the 80…

After months of preparation, the doors of the Alfa Laval Test & Training Center in Aalborg, Denmark are open. Located on the site of the former Aalborg shipyard, this massive ship simulation facility – the largest and most advanced in the marine industry – now adds considerable muscle to Alfa Laval’s research and development efforts. The Alfa Laval Test & Training Center comprises a 250 m2 testing area, built around a 2 MW marine engine and comprising commercial and prototype equipment from all of Alfa Laval’s marine product groups.

Marine R&D enters a bold new era as operations begin at the Alfa Laval Test & Training Center. After months of intense preparation, the doors of the Alfa Laval Test & Training Center in Aalborg, Denmark are open. Located on the site of the former Aalborg shipyard, this massive ship simulation facility – the largest and most advanced in the marine industry – now adds considerable muscle to Alfa Laval’s research and development efforts. The Alfa Laval Test & Training Center comprises a 250 m2 testing area…

'Soyo', an NYK-owned coal carrier, has been selected as the 2012 "Ship of the Year" by the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers (JASNAOE). JASNAOE’s “Ship of the Year” award has been presented every year since 1990 to a Japan-built vessel that the society considers to be the most technically advanced, well-designed, and socially conscious. Soyo was honored for its innovative air-lubrication system and its proven impact on CO2 reduction. This new air-lubrication…

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line; head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; president: Yasumi Kudo), Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. (KHI; head office: Kobe-shi, Hyogo Prefecture; president: Satoshi Hasegawa), the Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI; head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; president: Yutaka Yasunaga), and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK; head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; chairman and president: Noboru Ueda) are to begin in June shipboard tests to verify the effects of a jointly developed hybrid power supply system for vessels.