MOL Gets 1.5% Bunker Savings from Vessel Autopilot System

MOL says comparison between the conventional control system (left) and the new route control system using ACE (right) has shown 1.5% energy savings.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) today announced that, in cooperation with Tokyo Keiki Inc. (Tokyo Kenichi), a performance test of its Advanced Control for Ecology (ACE) autopilot route control function onboard a vessel in service has demonstrated energy savings of approximately 1.5 percent, compared to a similar vessel with a conventional control system.

The demonstration test is said to have utilised data collected from Fleet Monitor, an internet-based ship-to-shore vessel operation monitoring system developed by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., used to integrate information in vessel operation management.

The 1.5 percent energy savings is said to have been determined through analysis by MOL and Tokyo Keiki of Fleet Monitor data collected from the vessel using ACE.

ACE is said to achieve significant reductions in fuel consumption through setting the ship's course direction, then estimating disturbance factors during a voyage, including wind and tide, in order to optimally control the helm to reduce route deviation and minimise required course changes.

With the goal of "building a comprehensive vessel operation support network that will improve operating safety, reduce vessels' environmental impact, and boost overall efficiency," MOL notes that it collects big data gathered from all of its in-service vessels in a central location.

"The MOL Group continually takes a proactive stance in developing and introducing technologies that will reduce environmental impact and improve the safety and reliability of its transport services," stated MOL in the announcement.

In September, MOL announced that it had begun testing a new windshield device on its containership MOL Marvel, which is intended to reduce wind resistance, thereby saving fuel and reducing its CO2 emissions.