Asia/Pacific News
MHI Delivers "Super Eco-Ship"
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) says it has delivered a "super eco-ship" that will improve fuel efficiency by 15.6 percent compared with its predecessor.
The new Tachibana-Maru will carry passengers and cargo between Tokyo and the Izu Islands for operator Tokai Kisen starting June 27.
The ship uses a tandem-hybrid contra-rotating propeller (CRP) propulsion system that allows it to be driven by a low-speed diesel engine, reducing fuel use when navigating at slow speeds in bays and channels.
The propeller system also reduces water resistance because it requires fewer appendages.
The ferry also features an electronically controlled fuel injection system to improve the engine's combustion efficiency and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
"MHI is making eco-ships with enhanced energy-saving and environmental performance capability a key product focus of its efforts in the shipbuilding and ocean development business sector," the company said.
"Gaining momentum from construction of the Tachibana-Maru with epoch-making high environmental performance, the company aims to further strengthen its proposal-based marketing activities in the sector and continue development of various echo-ship related technologies."
MHI has been working on projects promoting efficiency for vessels including LNG carriers and very large ore carriers (VLOCs)
