MT-FAST is a multi-blade device that can be attached to a ship’s hull to improve the propeller’s propulsion efficiency.
A ship moves forward when the engine rotates the propeller, which sucks in the water in front of it and propels that water backwards, creating the force that pushes the vessel forward. However, when converting the rotational power into propulsive power, a swirling flow that reduces propulsion efficiency is generated.
MT-FAST is attached to a ship’s hull just forward of the propeller and improves the flow of water around the propeller by reducing the swirling flow generated behind the propeller, thus improving propulsion efficiency and reducing fuel consumption by around 4 percent.
– Installment of MT-FAST
MT-FAST can be fitted to new vessels and retroactively fitted to existing vessels. Since 2008, it has been installed on ships built at Tsuneishi shipyards and NYK Group operated bulk carriers and containerships, reaching a 500-vessel milestone and saving about 447,000 tons of fuel, reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by about 1,341,000 tons.
– Verification of effect on actual ship
NYK verified the energy-saving effect of MT-FAST at sea using the company’s Ship Information Management System, or SIMS, which enables the remote distribution and management of onboard applications from land offices. In order to grasp the fuel-saving effect, two vessels, one is equipped with MT-FAST and another without, sailed the same route in parallel in the same meteorological and oceanic conditions, and a fuel savings of 4.8 percent was confirmed.
As an organization that conducts business activities globally, the NYK Group has positioned responses to global environmental concerns as a significant corporate issue. The company will continue to promote technological development that will lead to reduction of environmental load with manufacturers. In accordance with the new medium-term management plan “Staying Ahead 2022 with Digitalization and Green” that NYK announced in March, the company is taking steps to enrich the company’s corporate value by embracing the sustainable development of society through the creation of new value.
