According to Japanese shipping group NYK, the introduction of new marine fuels necessitates testing and analysis which previously had to be carried out at external engine facilities, in addition to trial operations, all of which would require about two years to complete.
Shortening this period and reducing the cost of testing have been key to meeting the increasing demand for new fuels, such as biofuels, and satisfying the environmental regulatory measures of various countries. NYK is now able to use its own test engine to conduct stress tests; this allows the company to eliminate the need for trial operations and aim for practical use within a period of three months.
Using engine operation and fuel-oil analysis technologies of NYK Group companies Boltech and Nippon Yuka Kogyo allows NYK to verify the potential of various new marine fuels and accelerate their practical application and commercialisation.
The Yanmar medium-speed engine, now in its own test house in Chiba prefecture, was previously installed in NYK’s tug Sakigake, which has been converted to ammonia fuel operation.
Image: NYK’s test engine and test house (source: NYK)
