Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced plans to work with a group of Japanese research institutes on the development of a digital twin model for use in analysis of vessel main engines.
MOL will work with the National Institute of Maritime, Port and Aviation Technology (MPAT) and the National Maritime Research Institute (NMRI) on the joint research project, which aims to create a model of a two-cycle main diesel engine by using operational data collected from MOL vessels in service.
Once developed, the engine’s digital twin will be used to identify the condition of the main engine and improve the accuracy of estimates of degradation over time, which MOL says is difficult to calculate correctly during regular ship operations.
The data generated will be used to support Condition Based Maintenance processes and optimise the ongoing operation of the engines onboard MOL’s vessels.
The digital twin project forms part of the shipping company’s ongoing ‘ISHIN NEXT’ smart ship development initiative, which has been underway since November 2016.
