MOL to Commercialize 'V-MO' Monitoring Service for Marine Motors Jointly Developed with Asahi Kasei Engineering
- Further Improving Safe Operation and Promoting Maritime Digital Transformation -

May 24, 2023

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) today announced that it has completed the joint research and development with Asahi Kasei Engineering (President: Ichiro Okada, Head Office: Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture) on "Predictive Detection of Marine Motor Anomalies by Vibration Sensors" and it has realized to commercialize V-MO, a monitoring service for marine motors.

V-MO enables detection of motor abnormalities, diagnosis of their causes, and continuous condition monitoring of motors installed on a vessel and analyzing the measured data. Since the data is transmitted to the cloud, the motor status can be monitored not only onboard, but from shore as well.

The joint research project began in November 2017 as an open innovation aimed at developing Asahi Kasei Engineering's vibration diagnostic technology, which has a proven track record in numerous onshore plants. (Note 1) Starting in 2020, the project team has increased the number of vessels subject to trial and promoted the trial services with a view to practical application (Note 2). About 200 vibration sensors were installed on 13 MOL-operated large crude oil tankers (VLCCs), dry bulk carriers, car carriers, and containerships, and data has been continually verified while collection and analysis during actual voyages. As a result, the team confirmed the validity and practicality of the system, and it is now available for sale. MOL will increase the number of V-MO systems installed on its operated vessels, and Asahi Kasei Engineering will promote sales of V-MOs not only to MOL but also to other vessel owners and operators in Japan and overseas through Fuji Trading Co., Ltd.(Note 3), the sales agency for V-MOs.

Last year, MOL established the technology slogan "One mile ahead" as a banner to lead the industry in the development of technological innovations associated with the marine transport business. This project is a part of the "One mile ahead" initiative." It will leverage the knowledge and expertise gained through the joint research project to further improve operating safety and promote digital transformation (DX) in the maritime industry.

(Note 1) For details, please refer to the November 8, 2017, press release:
MOL Joins Research Project on Use of Vibrating Sensors to Detect Abnormalities in Rotary Machineries - Enhancing Safe Operation Using New Ship IoT-based Technology to Monitor Marine Propulsion Plants -

(Note 2) For details, please refer to the March 18, 2020, press release:
MOL & Asahi Kasei Engineering to Start Trial of Monitoring Service for Auxiliary Marine Machinery - Aiming at Safer Operation with Vibration Sensor-based Failure Diagnostic Technology –

(Note 3) Sales window: Machinery & Equipment Sales Dept.,
Techno- Network Division, Fuji Trading Co., Ltd.
TEL) +81-78-413-2657, E-Mail) mes@fujitrading.co.jp

(Note 4) An example of a condition monitoring screen of a marine motor seen on a ship and shore. During the trial, an increase in the vibration value of a specific marine motor was confirmed, and as a result of executing grease-up on the vessel, the vibration value decreased.

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MOL Group 5 Sustainability Issues
MOL Group will contribute to realizing a sustainable society by promoting responses to sustainability issues, which are identified as social issues that must be addressed as priorities through its business.
We anticipate this initiative to contribute especially to the realization of "Safety & Value -Provide added value through safe transportation and our social infrastructure business-", and "Innovation -Innovation for development in marine technology-."