Verification Test for Modernized Machinery System of Coastwise Cargo Vessel
By Kenji Ishida, Yoshiaki Tabuchi, Isamu Sato. Nobuyoshi Yonekura
At present, the operation structures and technical developments of coastwise Liners are facing a turning point.
Since early 1997, the modernization of ship machinery system of a 499gross tonnage coastwise steel-cargo vessel is designed by the Modernization Committee of Coastwise Vessels and subsidized by the Ship and Ocean Foundation.
As design concepts of the modernization, modular fabricated machinery units, an integrated automatic control system of engine room machinery at the bridge and an inverter control system of sea water cooling pump, drainless measures, a combined use electric generator for the bow-thruster are mainly adopted.
Effectiveness of this modernization project is surveyed during the verification test from February 1997 to March 1998.
As a result, modular fabrication contributed to reduce the construction period and cost, the drainless measures contributed to reduce the workload and cleaning time for the engine crews, and the inverter system saved the total electric consumption.
This verification test apparently proposes for considerations of the modernization for the coastwise vessels from financial, technological and workload points of view.
- Reprinted from Journal of the M.E.S.J., vol.34, No.6 -
