Methanol-Powered Tanker Gets New ClassNK Condition Monitoring System

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Tuesday June 21, 2016

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) Monday announced that the installation of ClassNK Consulting Service's condition-based monitoring (CBM) system on Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' (MOL's) methanol-propulsion capable Taranaki Sun marks the system's first commercial application.

"ClassNK CMAXS e-GICSX is a next-generation CBM system that is unlike any other to date," said ClassNK, noting that MOL selected the system in order to reduce the vessel's maintenance costs.

The CBM system is said to collect a wide array of voyage data, including weather and sea conditions, as well as machinery data from multiple sensors installed on the vessel's main engine.

Once data is collected, the system utilises a "sophisticated" algorithm to analyse correlations between the data in order to identify any engine abnormalities and offer troubleshooting actions, explains the company.

"Through the provision of ClassNK CMAXS e-GICSX, ClassNK Consulting Service continues to reduce the total lifecycle cost of vessels and improve the reliability of main engines," concluded ClassNK.

Earlier this month, Ship & Bunker reported that the 50,000 DWT Taranaki Sun is notable because it can burn methanol bunkers as well as traditional HFO and MGO.