Research by Each Organization
RESEARCH ORGANIZATION
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Fluids Engineering & Hull Design
Reducing GHG emission from ships and realizing green innovation, the department is conducting research and development based on ship fluid dynamics. The department is engaging research on evaluation of ship performance in actual seas, fluid control to improve hull form, high efficiency energy saving device and advanced tank testing technology.
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Fluids Engineering & Ship Performance Evaluation
Three groups conduct research aimed at the assessment and improvement of the performance (propulsion, maneuverability, sea keeping, stability, etc.) of vessels at sea, and they contribute to the improvement of shipping safety by providing technical support for investigations to determine the cause of marine accidents and to create international standards. In addition, they are also developing world leading and highly reliable CFD software for ship hydrodynamics, which are released to mainly domestic ship yards.
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Structural & Industrial System Engineering
We contribute to the advancement of safety assessment methods for hull structures. Our research is mainly concerned with the estimation of wave loads acting on hulls, simulation of structural response and collapse. We also conduct research on material properties such as corrosion and fatigue strength. As part of the above research, various experiments such as tank tests, structural collapse tests and material tests are carried out.
In addition, we are also focusing on manufacturing engineering for productivity and quality improvement in maritime industries. -
Marine Environment & Engine System
This department conducts research into environmental preservation related to ships and marine structures in the following areas: ・Upgrading of simulation technologies that form the basis to realizing a rational environmental regulation system for the oceans and the atmosphere. ・Development and evaluation of various technologies to reduce emissions of CO22, NOxx, SOxx, PM and other pollutants from ships.
In addition, we will introduce new marine gas engine testing equipment to start leading research on future fuel conversions. -
This department was established in 2017 to pursuit the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies to the maritime industries. In conjunction with the ship maneuvering risk simulator, the DP simulator, the logistics simulator, and so on, this department engages in the activities to realize autonomous ship, safe navigation, and efficient logistics systems.
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This department engages in risk assessments of the maritime field, including Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) for establishment of international regulations, risk assessment for newly developed systems and for improvement of marine traffic systems. This department also conducts researches for safe and secured carriage of hazardous cargos, including radioactive materials using advanced techniques such as risk/reliability analysis and hazardous material diffusion simulation.
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We are involved with technological development and safety assessment for exploitation and production of offshore natural resources such as oil, gas and minerals. We have advanced model testing technology, numerical simulation technology, and data measurement and analysis technologies for experiments in actual sea.
Based on the above technologies, we are working on research and development to provide the technological solutions for ocean development in the frontier sea such as deep water and ice covered area. -
Offshore Advanced Technology Department
We develop basic technologies related to marine renewable energies such as electric generations by the floating offshore wind turbines, wave energy converters, and marine current energy converters. In addition, safety evaluation methods related to these facilities and equipment for marine renewable energy are also examined in our department. Moreover, we conduct researches and developments of AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) for the purpose of exploration of seafloor resources etc., and develop surveying and measurement methods with the robots for the purpose to promote the advancement of undersea operations.
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Marine Accident Analysis Center
The Marine Accident Analysis Centre contributes to the investigation of the causes of marine accidents by analyzing information in a timely manner in close collaboration with the Japan Transportation Safety Board, the Maritime Bureau and other organizations in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. For severe accidents, the center further contributes by drawing up preventive measures by reproducing accident situations using the Bridge Simulator for Navigational Risk Research, Actual Sea Model Basin and structural analysis tools.
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Center for International Cooperation
The Center for International Cooperation strives to support the development and revision of international regulations and standards managed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and other international organizations.
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This Project Team is promoting the development and social implementation of digital twin technology for ship hulls, digital twin technology for marine main engines, digital twin technology for ship operations, digital platform technology for ship design and digital platform technology for ship construction, which will be key technologies in realizing the digital transformation of the maritime industry.
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The IMO's GHG reduction target is to improve overall international shipping fuel efficiency by at least 40% by 2030 and By 2050, total GHG emissions must be reduced by at least 50%. The PT will develop GHG reduction technologies from the perspectives of hydrodynamics, alternative fuels and engine efficiency. and developed a tool for estimating total GHG emissions based on demand forecasts for maritime logistics, to develop strategies and By developing business models, we are promoting the social implementation of our results.
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The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) is aiming for realizing autonomous ships by 2025. In order to contribute to the aim, our PT has been established to ensure a safety evaluation technology for the autonomous ships. We are developing new fast-time-simulation system and new navigation-risk simulator to evaluate safety of the autonomous ships. Developments of an automatic berthing/leaving technology and a machine-vision technology for ships are also our important missions. Our goal is to implement the developed technologies in practice and to realize the autonomous ships by 2025. We think it is important to couple a farsighted strategy with an appropriate business model.
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With the enactment of the Renewable Energy and Marine Use Law, the environment for the spread of offshore wind power plants has been prepared. In order to promote the use of offshore wind power, this PT is proposing a concept of floating offshore wind power generation in high wind speed waters. and promote the construction of offshore wind farms by proposing a business model for offshore wind power.
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Next-Generation Unmanned Ocean Vehicle PT
As a next-generation mobile platform for ocean utilization and development, the use of unmanned ocean vehicles such as AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) is advancing worldwide. In Japan as well, to support the related research and development, an AUV Strategy Project Team overseeing unmanned ocean vehicles strategies has been established within the Advisory Council of the Integrated Maritime Policy Headquarters, Japanese government. The Next-Generation Unmanned Ocean Vehicle Project Team at NMRI aims to support such national efforts at the field level and contribute to society by carrying out leading research and development to be at the forefront globally.
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Safety Operation Office of Dynamic Positioning System
The use of vessels equipped with Dynamic Positioning (DP) systems, such as SEP, is expected to increase in the future for the development of renewable energy sources, such as offshore wind power generation, as well as for the exploration of marine resources like seabed minerals and methane hydrates in Japan.
Therefore, this office will contribute to the safe operation of DP systems, which includes collecting and analyzing information on safety, environmental preservation, and accidents. Additionally, it will handle emergency situations unique to DP vessels by utilizing the DP simulator installed at the NMRI.