Japanese

MOL Starts Joint Study of Next-generation Engine Diagnostic Application
- Developing 'Fleet Guardian' Targeting Eradication of Vessel Downtime -

December 24, 2019

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) today announced that it has reached an agreement for joint development of the next-generation engine failure sign diagnosis application, in partnership with ClassNK Consulting Service Co., Ltd. (NKCS; President: Daikichi Nomura; Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd. (President: Koji Yahagi; Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), and Mitsui E&S Machinery Co., Ltd. (President: Takeyuki Takahashi; Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo).

The four companies are looking to develop the application by fusing ClassNK's "CMAXS LC-A/e-GICSX"(CMAXS) (Note 1) and MOL's FOCUS "Fleet Optimal Control Unified System" (Note 2), which is intended to enhance safe operation and reduce environmental impact through advanced information and communications technology (ICT). The four companies will unite to develop a system called "Fleet Guardian," which encompasses a new implementation of Explainable AI (XAI) (Note 3), the most advanced human-friendly artificial intelligence.

Fleet Guardian is expected to eliminate vessel downtime and further improve the level of safe operation by enabling crewmembers and shoreside staff to share information on a vessel's engine status in a timely manner.

[Schemes in the joint study that each company will emphasize]

The goal of the Fleet Guardian project is to establish a system that will improve accuracy and speed of failure sign diagnosis by continually adjusting the results of automatic (sign) diagnosis and actual operational status, while incorporating functions that will contribute to seafarer training and education. The project team members plan to design CMAXS in a way that makes it easier for seafarers to understand automatic diagnosis results, and helps them gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the engine every time they use it.

The project aims at zero downtime due to engine failure by establishing a system jointly operated by users and engine manufacturers, by continually improving accuracy of the system itself and by providing seafarers a more comprehensive understanding of changes in engine status.

MOL has moved ahead with advanced support of safe operation and reduction of its environmental impact, as set out in the "ISHIN NEXT - MOL SMART SHIP PROJECT -," which started in November 2016, and aims to become customers' first choice as a logistics partner by applying ICT technology to improve service quality and efficiency.

(Note 1) Please refer to the following press releases regarding MOL's past use of CMAXS:
October 8, 2015 press release:
Using Big Data for Engine Preventive Maintenance and Reduction of Life Cycle Costs - MOL Starts Demonstration Test of Next-generation Condition-based Engine Monitoring System –

July 19, 2017:
MOL to Harness Big Data to Enhance Engine Plant Preventive Maintenance and Reduce Life Cycle Costs
MOL to Harness Big Data to Enhance Engine Plant Preventive Maintenance and Reduce Life Cycle Costs- 2 Newbuilding Vessels to be Equipped with Next-generation Engine Status Monitoring System with Upgraded Functions -

(Note 2) Please refer to the following press releases and concept regarding MOL's past "FOCUS" projects:

October 15, 2018 press release:
Launching of the "FOCUS" Project - Collaborative Innovation Transcending Business Categories; ICT-based, Data-driven Project Aims at Safer Operation and Cleaner Environment –

May 21, 2019 press release:
MOL Announces Release of FOCUS Project Part I
'Fleet Viewer' Application Aimed at Enhancing Ship Management - Stress-free Operation with Big Data Analysis -

(Note 3) XAI stands for Explainable Artificial Intelligence, a developing field in AI that seeks to explain the decisions made by an AI system in a way that human experts can understand.