MOL Autopilot Route Control Function Saves 1.5% Energy

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) today announced that the company, along with Tokyo Keiki Inc. (President & CEO: Kenichi Waki; Headquarters: Ota-ku, Tokyo), conducted a performance demonstration test of its autopilot route control function, called “Advanced Control for Ecology (ACE)”, onboard a vessel in service. The results show an energy savings of about 1.5%.

The ACE estimates disturbance effects such as wind and tide by setting the vessel’s course direction, and optimally controls the helm to minimize route deviation and reduce the number of course changes required during a voyage, achieving significant reductions in fuel consumption compared to a similar vessel with a conventional control system. 

MOL centrally collects big data gathered from vessels in service, with the goal of building a comprehensive vessel operation support network that will improve operating safety, reduce vessels’ environmental impact, and boost overall efficiency.

During this demonstration test, MOL and Tokyo Keiki analyzed the data gained from “Fleet Monitor” (*) installed on the vessel as a part of its big data initiative, and found that “ACE” resulted in about 1.5% energy savings.

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.