20 February, 2015 (Tokyo) – Leading classification society ClassNK (Chairman and President: Noboru Ueda) and Makita (President: Minoru Makita) have agreed to bring the condition-based engine monitoring system ClassNK CMAXS e-GICSX to Mitsui-Makita MAN B&W main engines. The system assists in the early detection of abnormalities in electrically controlled diesel engines and is being developed in collaboration with Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding.
Its development comes in response to the rise in the number of vessels being equipped with fuel-efficient electronically controlled diesel engines that allow large amounts of sensor data to be obtained. The increasing amount of data creates more workload for many shipping companies therefore a system that can analyze the automated sensors is needed.
ClassNK CMAXS e-GICSX incorporates e-GICS (electronic Global Internet Customer Support) technology developed by Mitsui, and ClassNK’s advanced Big Data analysis technology to create a support system for preventative maintenance on ships. Data gathered from the engine sensor is automatically analyzed to provide performance diagnoses making it possible to conduct early countermeasures to prevent critical, time-consuming repairs and extend the frequency of overhaul intervals. The system aims to ensure safe operation of the ship and reduce lifecycle costs. Project completion is scheduled for March 2016.
Makita and Mitsui’s long-standing relationship began in 1973 when the two companies signed a technology collaboration agreement before going on to sign the MAN B&W license agreement in 1981. MAN B&W currently has the world’s largest share of two-stroke diesel fuelled main engines. The MAN B&W diesel large bore engines are manufactured and sold by Mitsui in Japan, whereas the small bore (≦500mm) engines are manufactured by Makita. This collaboration will make possible for ClassNK CMAXS e-GICSX to be applied to the highly advanced Makita engine, potentially helping to ease the operation and maintenance workload of seafarers and shipping companies.
