Heading control system expands into operating vessels
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha ("K" Line) and Yokogawa Denshikiki (YDK) have jointly announced expansion of the installation of the YDKheading control system to "K" Line’s operating vessels.
YDK developed the heading control system, known as BNAAC (batch noise adaptive autopilot controller), for increased fuel economy. The principle of the system is constantly to update the ship’s parameters by monitoring and reflecting changing meteorological and hydrographic conditions, previous-generation systems merely reflecting the initial parameter setting.
“K” Line and YDK trialed the system using an operating bulk carrier vessel, and achieved about 1% reduction of CO2 emissions compared with the current system.
“K” Line had started to install the BNAAC system to newly-built vessels, and based on the results of the trial decided to extend the programme by fitting it to operating vessels, the first to be equipped being M/V Becchio Bridge during September 2010.
