MOL-Developed Optimum Trim System Boosts Car Carrier Fuel Efficiency up to 4%

April 05, 2011

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced the joint development of an optimum trim system for vessels, along with Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen) Inc.

A pilot test of the system, using a 6,400-unit car carrier, showed an increase of up to 4% in fuel efficiency compared to a conventionally equipped vessel, which in turn contributes to a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions.

The optimum trim system quantitatively assesses MOL captains' extensive practical knowledge of vessel running attitudes through tank testing and actual ship test. This data is translated into graphs that make it easy for seafarers to use the system. Tank testing by Akishima Laboratories showed that appropriate trim adjustments can significantly reduce wave drag, and these results were confirmed in practical tests using the car carrier.
(Please refer to the figure below.)

The optimum trim system is one of the elemental technologies MOL is promoting in its Sempaku ISHIN project to develop concepts for next-generation vessels. The company will adopt the optimum trim system on additional types of ships in a proactive approach combined with the optimal operational system together to reducing CO₂ emissions on a fleet-wide basis.

<Reference>
* The term "trim" for vessel means the lengthwise inclination of the hull. To put it concretely, trim indicates the difference between bow draft and aft draft. "Trim by bow" means that the bow draft is deeper than the aft draft, while "trim by aft" means the opposite.