MOL, KHI to Develop Steering Gear with Sensing Capability

Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and its compatriot Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) have agreed to jointly work on the development of technologies that enhance vessel reliability and energy-saving operation.

The project focuses on developing steering gear with new sensing capability and big data analysis. The system will be installed on a very large crude carrier (VLCC), which is under construction at KHI and slated for delivery to MOL.

It is intended to develop KHI-made steering gear equipped with sensors that monitor pressure, flow rate, temperature of hydraulic oil, consumed power, and high-speed data acquisition system that has a large storage capacity.

The data acquisition system would collect data from the steering gear, as well as other types of information, such as vessel speed, course, engine load and rudder angle, during a voyage.

In-depth analysis of this data will lead to improvements in vessel reliability and energy-saving operation. The project is expected to complete by end of March 2021.

MOL said that the project is an important step in developing the future intelligence function equipped steering gear, which will contribute to improvement of the vessel’s reliability, maneuverability, and energy-saving operation.