Japan: MHI Develops New Bulk Carrier with 25 Pct Reduction in CO2 Emissions

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd has developed a new bulk carrier which will enable reductions in CO2 emissions by about 25% compared with conventional averaged bulk carriers. As the first commercial application of the new design, MHI will provide its conceptual design and green technologies to three grain carriers to be built for ADM Company of the U.S.

MHI’s new bulk carrier design adopts the company’s proprietary Mitsubishi Air Lubrication System (MALS), which reduces frictional resistance between the vessel hull and seawater using air bubbles produced at the vessel bottom, along with high-efficiency hull form and enhanced propulsion system.

Besides the MALS, which uses blowers to create air bubbles under the vessel bottom, the three grain carriers will also feature a newly designed bow shape that will reduce wave-making resistances. For propulsion, the ship adopts a system to effectively convert the main engine power into propulsion power by positioning fins forward of the propellers and placing particular grooves in the propeller boss cap. MHI developed the MALS as a key measure to reduce CO2 emissions from ships.

The new bulk carriers are designed to make an important contribution to international efforts to fight global warming, a demand that is especially strong in the case of oceangoing vessels. Going forward MHI will continue to accord priority to the development of vessels addressing CO2 reduction needs by focusing on development of its “Eco-ship” and sales expansion of related systems and equipment.