K Line Turns to Big Data for Bunker Savings

K Line says it is working with KHI on the development of K-IMS, an integrated vessel operation and performance management system.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (K Line) Tuesday announced that it is working with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd Group (KHI) on the development of K-IMS, an integrated vessel operation and performance management system that is intended to support "environmental preservation" and lower the company's bunker bills.

K-IMS is said to be based on two existing systems, including the Ship Performance Analyzing System (SPAS), which provides electrical AB log and vessel performance analysis, and the Engine Plant Monitor (EP-Monitor), a remote monitoring system for the vessel engine plant condition.

"We have made it a new system by integrating developed 'EP-Monitor' which has become able to collect and observe all kinds of operation data including navigation data and 'NAVI' (Optimum Navigation System) we have newly adopted," explained the company of K-IMS.

K Line says that the K-IMS system will allow for vessels' operation data to be received in real-time, enabling the company to optimise vessel performance and select the cheapest and safest routes of travel.

Data and information collected through the system is said to be managed using a cloud system and shore server, and can be shared among operation teams, ship management companies, and vessels.

As a result, K Line says the K-IMS will contribute to safe navigation, bunker savings, and ease of vessel operation and management.

"K Line will continue to work on environmental preservation and economic operation, keeping to build a reliable safety operation organization by improving the accuracy of optimum navigation system and further developing and utilizing of bottom fouling analysis system, trim optimization system, engine diagnose system on K-IMS," concluded the company.

As Ship & Bunker has previously reported, K Line set a new reduction target of 25 percent by 2030 after the company said that, with the help of big data, it reached its CO2 emission reduction target of 10 percent that was set to be achieved by 2019.