K` Line fits new vessels with fuel reduction system

JAPAN`s Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha ("K" Line) and Yokogawa Denshikiki Co Ltd (YDK) have started installing their latest heading control system in their ships after tests proved its effectiveness.

YDK released the new heading control system called Batch Noise Adaptive Autopilot Controller (BNAAC) which is used to increase fuel efficiency.


"The principal of this system is to update the ship`s parameter all the time by monitoring and reflecting changing meteorological and hydrographic conditions, while the original system just reflected the initial parameter setting," a statement from "K" Line said.


An experimental trial of this system had been performed using an operating bulk carrier vessel. The new system was found to have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by approximately one per cent compared with the current system.


"K" Line said it has already started to install the BNAAC system in newly-built vessels, and based on the results of the trial the programme has now been expanded into operating vessels. The first vessel to be installed with the BNAAC system was the Becchio Bridge, which called at Tokyo Bay on September 13.