Technology:
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL73/78) enacted in January 2013 stipulates that new ships built after 2015
should reduce fuel consumption by 10% from the level in 2013 and those built after
2025 should reduce fuel consumption by 30% from the level in 2013. Japanese
shipbuilding companies are developing various kinds of technologies to cope
with the standards set by the MARPOL 73/78.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has decided to operate a transport ship that uses ethanol as fuel
for the first time in the world. The company will develop an engine for the
ship in alliance with Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding. It will operate up
to three ships of this kind for Methanex of Canada that is the world largest
producer of methanol. Methanol is used to produce synthetic resins and
agrichemicals besides being mixed with gasoline to use as fuel. It does not
emit sulfur oxide that causes air contamination, but it decomposes metals. The
two companies improved materials to be used for engine and feeding pipe, and
developed a technology to control the injection of methanol for higher combustion
efficiency. The project transport ship will cost about 5 billion yen, about 10%
higher than a transport ship Methanex is currently operating. The projected
transport ship will use methanol and heavy oil, and uses methanol for 10-20% of
the operational route. Two times more methanol than heavy oil is required to
travel the same distance. Methanol will be purchased from Methanex. Currently
the purchase price of heavy oil is 60,000 yen per ton, while methanol is 40,000
yen per ton. With the spread of using methanol as fuel, the purchase price of
methanol is expected to go down. The company has already been operating car
carriers in which photovoltaic generation supplies part of electricity consumed
inside the ship.
NYK
is operating three ships that employ the “air lubrication system” designed to
reduce friction resistance by sending air to the ship bottom. Mitsubishi Heavy is
building an energy-saving LNG transport ship that reduces air resistance named “Sayaendo
(Podded pea).” Kawasaki Heavy is developing a ship that uses LNG as fuel. Maritime Innovation Japan Corp. is developing a ship that improves fuel consumption by
30%.
Mitsubishi Heavy's Eco-ship
Sayanedo (Podded pea)
NYK Super Eco-ship Concept Design
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