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Part 3 : The Marine Engine Story "The Drive to Conserve Energy and Realize Ever-larger Ships"


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Released in January 2011

As merchant vessels have become larger, so have the engines that power them. This section introduces one of the world's largest marine engines, and the Brasil Maru, one of the world's largest merchant ships.

Today's large-size engines

The engine in the photo is the about 15m high, about 24m long, with total displacement of about 22 million cc, and output of around 60,000kW (85,000 HP).

This is larger than the engine on the Brasil Maru, and has about the output equivalent to about 230 large trucks.

Vessel engines must often run continuously for more than a month, and they must be durable enough to last at least 20 years. So it is clear that vessel engines must be highly reliable. These large, high-output engines are used on today's large containerships.

Engine Comparison: World's Largest Vessels vs. Trucks

Main specifications Diesel engine for large-size vessel Diesel engine for large-size truck
Type of engine 2 cycle 4 cycle
No. of cylinders 11 6
Diameter of piston 980 mm 120 mm
Total displacement 22,000,000 cc 10,000 cc
Max. output/rpm 85,000 HP
/94 rpm
380 HP
/1,800 rpm
Weight 2,000 tons 1 ton
Diesel engine for large-size vessel(Mitsui‐MAN B&W 11K98MC)

Introduction of electronically controlled engines

In recent years, more electronically controlled engines have been adopted for marine use. Electronic systems can precisely control the timing of fuel injection into the cylinder as well as exhaust valve timing and cylinder lubrication timing. Improved control helps reduce consumption of fuel oil, and cylinder oil, which means lower emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), smoke,soot and particulate matter (PM).

The Brasil Maru

Larger engines and larger vessels go hand in hand. This section introduces one of the world's largest iron ore carriers, the Brasil Maru, which was the original model for the ISHIN-Ⅲ.

Brasil Maru

Type of ship : Iron ore carrier
Length : 340.00m
width : 60.00m
depth : 28.13m
GT : 160,774 tons
Speed : 15.0 knots
Main engine : 1 diesel engine 7S80MC-C (23,640 kW)
DWT : 327,180 tons

On December 7, 2007, the Brasil Maru was completed at Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding's Chiba Shipyard. On January 11, 2008, it called at Ponta de Madeira in Brazil to take on a full load of iron ore, departing on January 21. And on March 7, it called at the Nippon Steel Corporation Oita Works. The Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers named the Basil Maru the Ship of the Year 2007 for its innovation, technology, and high efficiency.


Main characteristics

Vessel engines aimed at boosting energy efficiency and powering ever-larger vessels.

The next page provides a glimpse at our proposals for future vessel engines, with a compilation of technologies that we believe are feasible within the next five years.


Brasil Maru Receiving Ship of the Year 2007 Award

The MOL-operated Brasil Maru was selected as the Ship of the Year 2007 which is given to the most outstanding vessel completed during the year, screened by The Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers.

The selection committee noted,
The Brasil Maru is a pioneering vessel in reducing iron ore transport cost, which will have a great effect on steel production. Adoption of ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT) welding technologies increases resistance to metal fatigue. In addition, 2008 marks the centennial anniversary of Japanese emigration to Brazil, and the vessel is the third generation to carry the Brasil Maru name, following two cargo and passenger liners. The new Brasil Maru is a historical vessel worthy of the centennial anniversary.

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Ahead of its time. The large hull meets tomorrow's demand for more efficient transport.

The Brasil Maru is one of the largest ships in the world, with a capacity of 320,000 tons, and provides a shuttle service between Japan and Brazil.It set a new trend toward ultra-large iron ore carriers in the ocean shipping industry.

Large size optimizes efficiency

Customers, shipowners, shipbuilders, and ship operators teamed up on a one-and-a-half year study of the transport of iron ore from Brazil to Japan, looking for ways to make it, more stable, and more efficient. The Brasil Maru was the result of that effort. It is one of the largest merchant ships in the world, designed to make optimum use of loading/discharging facilities.

BRASIL MARU by the Numbers
Brasil Maru draft 21.6 m
Water depth Port of Oita: 27 m
Ponta de Madeira: 22 m
Port of Tubarao: 20 m + sea tide
Construction efficiency Almost the same as VLCCs (300,000 ton-class tankers), the largest ship type built
Maintenance after launching Despite its size, major repair yards can accommodate the Brasil Maru.

The Brasil Maru is a pioneer in iron ore transport, starting an industry trend toward larger ships.

More than 50 300,000-ton class iron ore carriers have been ordered around the world. The Brasil Maru represents the future of iron ore transport.

Shuttle service between Japan and Brazil

Ships that carry cargo from the producing nation to the consuming nation must travel unladen to the loading port. Conventionally, large bulkers would transport coal from Australia to Europe and then iron ore from Brazil to Japan, minimizing the ballast legs of the voyage.
The Brasil Maru defies conventional wisdom with a shuttle between Japan and Brazil, and is actually able to complete more voyages a year and increase transport volume.

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Reduces CO2 emissions by 20%. Its large size is more environment-friendly.

The environmental burden will be reduced due to the ship's large size (about a 20% reduction per unit of transport.)The Brasil Maru also features a double-hull fuel tank and its propeller is equipped with an energy-saving device.

Reducing CO2 emissions by 20%

The Brasil Maru's large size reduces environmental burden per unit of transport by about 20% CO2 reduction compared to conventional Cape-size bulkers.

  Deadweight
(tons)
Annual transport volume
(tons/no. of vessels)
Fuel consumption
(tons)
CO2 emissions
(tons)
Conventional
Cape-size bulkers
170,000 1.44 million tons/1.9 vessels 34,500 107,000
BRASIL MARU 320,000 1.44 million tons/vessel 28,000 87,000

↓
20% reducation

Double-hull fuel tanks adopted ahead of international standards

In advance of regulations, all fuel tanks now adopt a double-hull structure to reduce the risk of fuel oil leakage.

Engine meets strict emission standards.

The main engine and power generator engine meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) emission standards.

Energy-saving MIPB

Fuel consumption is reduced thanks to the adoption of the Mitsui Integrated Propeller Boss (MIPB).

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Marks a new level in the quest for safety with state-of-the-art shipbuilding technology.

Welded joints were treated with a revolutionary process that doubles their strength and improves fatigue resistance. This process was based on an exhaustive analysis of hull strength under wave conditions, aiming to design a safer, more durable hull.

Hull design makes full use of advanced computer simulation

Brasil Maru designers drew on the most advanced computer simulation technology to create a hull that optimized safety, efficiency, and environmental protection.

Specifically

  • Simulations of water flow surrounding the vessel were used to increase straight-line stability and operating performance.
  • In addition to creating a hull that offered optimum performance in normal conditions, designers simulated vessel motion during waves to determine resistance to fatigue. This ensures the long-term performance and safety of the Brasil Maru.

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