ClassNK Starts Joint Research Project to Optimize Ship Designs for Actual Sea Conditions

Tokyo – ClassNK announced today that they have started full scale ship tests to develop a feedback scheme on the design for ships performances in actual seas in collaboration with Imabari Shipbuilding Co and Sayonas Shipbuilding.

During this joint research project, the energy saving operation support system “ClassNK-NAPA GREEN” provided by the Society and NAPA will be installed in the ships constructed by each companies mentioned above, then the effectiveness of the energy saving operation support by means of this system will be verified. With the feedback obtained from gathering and analyzing the various information obtained from the operations, this project’s objective is to help with a total optimization of performances regarding the fuel efficiency not only in calm seas but also in actual seas.

Shipyards confirm ships performances in calm seas during the sea trials of newly built ships, but the actual situation is that it remains difficult to correctly understand performances in actual seas and draft conditions after the entry in service. Therefore, after analyzing information actually obtained during the operations with the “ClassNK-NAPA GREEN” system, and then grasping the relationship between draft, trim, main engine output, vessel speed and, marine weather information etc. This information will be used to realize an upgraded ship design improving performance in actual seas.

ClassNK believes that if this scheme is established, it will bring developments and projects for ships reducing environmental burden, and strengthen the international competitiveness.