Annual Review
Marine Engineering Progress in 1999
This report gives a summary of the major developments achieved in marine engineering technology in Japan and abroad in 1999 prepared by the Editors Committee of MESJ based on the manuscripts written by the chairmen and members of the research committees.
Each section gives an objective summary of researches, indicates the data showing the present technical level and improvements in production and performance of marine equipment, and introduces new products worthy of special attention.
In writing these articles, the authors specially intended to make only a very brief statement concerning advances in the field of fundamental engineering, to make reference as much as possible to the previously published journals of the related societies for research papers and technical information, and to restrict the introduction of individual products and achievements only to the most representative ones.
The authors express their deep gratitude to the companies for providing them with the information requested in compiling this summary.
Contents:
1.General, 2.Diesel Engines, 3.Steam Turbines, 4.Gas Turbines and Turbochargers, 5.Boilers, 6.Shafting System, 7.Auxiliaries and Outfitting Works, 8.Deck Machineries, 9.Fuels and Lubricating Oils, 10.Nuclear Ships, 11. Automatic Control, 12.Electronics Technology, 13.Electrical Equipment and System, 14.Ocean Engineering Machineries
1. General
1.1 Trend
In 1999, the new currency EURO was appeared and it was a memorial year for the economical unification process of EU countries. Also, the topics such as the countermeasures for the Y2K problems and the prospects for the new millennium were discussed actively. In the business world, worldwide reorganizations of some business fields such as an oil business was a big topic. In Japan, the movements of the reorganization were also appeared. On the other hand, the entry of Chinese shipbuilding industries into a large size vessel market was taken closed up.
Looking through the articles published in the Journal of MESJ we had found that the study for reduction of the exhaust gas emission from marine diesel engines was the most remarkable topic since last few years.
1.2 Order Results
The order results in Japan in 1999 was 276 ships and about 9,696,000 GT on the Ministry of Transport shipbuilding permission base (ships of 2,500 GT or above or of 90m or above in length). The results account for about 83% in the number of ships and about 91% in GT compared with the results in 1998. Domestic ships decreased by 65% resulting in 124,000 GT, and exported ships decreased by 7% resulting in 9,572,000 GT, compared with those in 1998. Break-down by kind of ships shows that cargo ships increased by 4% resulting in 6,612,000 GT and oil tankers decreased by 29% resulting in 3,032,000 GT.
1.3 Topics
1.3.1 Multi Purpose Cargo Carrier
The multi purpose cargo carrier "SCHIPPERS GRACHT" was completed and delivered to SPLIETHOFF'S BEVRACHTINGSKANTOOR B.V. at Shimonoseki Shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co.Ltd. The vessel has a total five shifters (16t S.W.L. per set) fitted in enclosed structure on the vessel's starboard side can serve effective transfer of cargoes in all weathers.
The vessel also has removal tweendecks can achieve various cargo stowage permutations by locking into position at three levels.
The main propulsion is a medium speed diesel engine.
1.3.2 High Speed Cargo Ferry
The high speed cargo ferry "HOKKAIDO-MARU" was completed and delivered to Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. at Shimonoseki Shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. The speed of vessel is about 30 knots and it can achieve a daily service by two vessels on the route between Tokyo and Tomakomai.
