One Trial Adopted to Improve Coastal Shipping Efficiency
Overview
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry solicited proposals for the FY2026 Subsidy Program for Rationalizing Energy Use and Promoting the Shift to Non-Fossil Energy in the Transport Sector (Innovative Operational Efficiency and Non-Fossil Energy Transition for Coastal Ships). Following review by external experts, they selected one trial project by Higashihiro Kaiun Co., Ltd. The project will install an integrated propulsion system combining a reaction rudder with a rudder bulb and propeller, along with an AI vessel operation management system supporting JIT operations, on a 499-ton cargo ship. The results will be publicized through measures including the Coastal Ship Energy Efficiency Rating System, with the aim of promoting further energy savings in coastal shipping.
Key points
- One new trial project was selected.
- The selected operator is Higashihiro Kaiun Co., Ltd.
- The trial will test an integrated propulsion system combining a reaction rudder with a rudder bulb and propeller, as well as an AI vessel operation management system supporting JIT operations, on a 499-ton cargo ship.
Overview
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry solicited proposals for the FY2026 Subsidy Program for Rationalizing Energy Use and Promoting the Shift to Non-Fossil Energy in the Transport Sector (Innovative Operational Efficiency and Non-Fossil Energy Transition for Coastal Ships). After review by a committee of external experts, they selected one new project.
The program covers trials that combine hardware and software measures to improve vessel energy efficiency, as well as trials that seek this improvement and a transition through the introduction of equipment using non-fossil energy.
Impact
The results will be publicized through measures including the Coastal Ship Energy Efficiency Rating System, which makes the effects of energy-saving and CO₂-reduction technologies visible, to promote further energy savings in coastal shipping.
Details
The selected project is titled “Energy-Saving Demonstration Project Using a New Propulsion System and AI-Based Optimal Operation Management System on a 499-Ton Cargo Ship.” The operator will demonstrate innovative energy-saving technologies.
The propeller will be redesigned based on the improved propulsion efficiency provided by the rudder bulb and reaction rudder. Reducing the blade area and weight will lower energy losses.
The AI vessel operation management system supports JIT operations by adjusting speed to arrive on schedule, avoiding early arrival and waiting offshore, and reducing excess fuel consumption. Based on vessel hardware characteristics and meteorological and oceanographic data, it recommends the main engine speed and route that minimize energy use under JIT operating conditions.