Asahi Kasei Engineering and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines begin trial of service for monitoring auxiliary machinery on ships
– enhancing the safety and reliability of vessel operation –
March 18, 2020
Asahi Kasei Engineering Corp.
Asahi Kasei Engineering Corp. (AEC) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) will jointly begin a trial of service called “V-MO” (Vessel Vibration Visualization Monitor) for monitoring auxiliary machinery on ships.
On November 1, 2017, AEC announced a joint demonstration project with MOL to verify the effectiveness of AEC’s onshore plant vibration diagnosis for predictive detection of signs of abnormality in rotating equipment on ships.1 Two newly constructed ships and one ship already in service were used for the demonstration. Methods of analysis were investigated in accordance with particular characteristics of the onboard environment, taking into consideration the machinery’s operating information from MOL as well as opinions of people with experience as chief engineer. As it was confirmed that AEC’s vibration diagnosis enabled the condition of equipment on ships to be monitored similarly to onshore equipment, the decision was made to begin a trial of service for monitoring as a step toward commercialization.
The ships used in the demonstration project
To verify the comprehensiveness of the vibration diagnosis technology, 10 more ships of different types will be used in the V-MO monitoring service trial in addition to the 3 ships used for the demonstration, with a total of approximately 80 units of auxiliary machinery monitored. Furthermore, the hardware and software will be validated and improved as required for commercialization. After commercialization, linkage with the FOCUS (Fleet Optimal Control Unified System) project2 of MOL is being studied. Provision of commercial service to shipping companies and ship management companies is targeted by the end of fiscal 2020.
The monitoring of equipment by measuring vibration has become widespread in recent years. Nevertheless, a great deal of expertise and experience are needed to actually utilize vibration measurement as a practical tool for equipment management that allows prompt detection of abnormalities in each unit of equipment on site, surmising their causes, and proposing suitable measures to take. AEC is registered as an ISO 18436 compliant organization (Condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines—Requirements for training and certification of personnel) and many of its employees hold ISO 18436-2 certification (Vibration condition monitoring and diagnostics). Having been engaged in onshore equipment maintenance both inside and outside of the Asahi Kasei Group for over 50 years, AEC has rich experience in the field. In addition to vibration monitoring during the V-MO service trial, certified personnel of AEC will provide information for judging equipment that plays an important role in vessel operation, which will be evaluated together with MOL for commercialization of the service.
Example of rotating equipment in the engine room
AEC looks forward to leveraging its equipment diagnosis technology accumulated in onshore plants through open innovation with MOL to enhance the safety and reliability of vessel operation in accordance with the Asahi Kasei Group Mission of contributing to life and living for people around the world.