ClassNK Grants Innovation Endorsement for “ACE Function”
ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a straight leg course control called “ACE Function” (ACE: Advanced Control for Ecology), which can be integrated with the autopilot systems, “PR-9000” and “PR-6000” offered by Tokyo Keiki Inc.“ACE Function” can automatically create a straight route and implement navigation at the shortest distance, only by setting the ship's current position and the heading of a destination. While navigating, it constantly estimates disturbances (tidal currents…
Video: NYK Trials Remote Tug Operations
Several companies within Japan's NYK Group have partnered to test the remote navigation of a tugboat in Tokyo Bay.The tugboat, operated by NYK's Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha Corporation, was equipped with a manned remotely controlled system and put to the test by NYK and its group companies MTI Co. Ltd., Keihin Dock Co. Ltd., and Japan Marine Science Inc. (JMS).During the trials, the tug was operated remotely from an operation center in the city of Nishinomiya, approximately 400 kilometers away.
NYK Steams Ahead
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.
MOL Autopilot Route Control Function Saves 1.5% Energy
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) today announced that the company, along with Tokyo Keiki Inc. (President & CEO: Kenichi Waki; Headquarters: Ota-ku, Tokyo), conducted a performance demonstration test of its autopilot route control function, called “Advanced Control for Ecology (ACE)”, onboard a vessel in service. The results show an energy savings of about 1.5%. The ACE estimates disturbance effects such as wind and tide by setting the vessel’s course direction, and optimally controls the helm to minimize route deviation and reduce the number of course changes required during a voyage, achieving significant reductions in fuel consumption compared to a similar vessel with a conventional control system.
ClassNK Holds PrimeManagement Seminar in Singapore
ClassNK held the first PrimeManagement Seminar in Singapore in February 2011. The event held at the Suntec Singapore exhibition center to showcase its new suite of services of the same name, drew more than 120 attendees from Southeast Asia and Japan. PrimeManagement is ClassNK’s total management certification service package, created to help maritime companies around the world achieve high quality management systems that effectively address the various challenges they face in an ever-changing industry.
ClassNK Certifies ECDIS Course
ClassNK Issues Certification for ECDIS Training Course Provided by TOKYO KEIKI INC. ClassNK announced today that it had issued type specific training course approval to an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) course offered by Tokyo Keiki Inc. This approval, certifying the compliance of this course with ClassNK’s new Standard for Maritime Education & Training, is the first of its kind to be issued by the Society to an ECDIS manufacturer in Japan. Under amendments to SOLAS regulations the carriage of ECDIS systems is due to become mandatory in less then six months.
