The NSafeTM-Hull and the Aero-Citadel Adopting the Steel Plate and the Superstructure, Both of Which Help Create Safer and Securer Shipbuilding
Jan. 06, 2015
Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
The NSafeTM-Hull and the Aero-Citadel
Adopting the Steel Plate and the Superstructure,
Both of Which Help Create Safer and Securer Shipbuilding
Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (Imabari, President: Yukito Higaki) has decided to adopt both the Aero-Citadel (a newly designed superstructure, developed by Imabari) and the NSafeTM-Hull (a highly ductile steel plate for shipbuilding with improved collision safety, developed by Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation (NSSMC, Representative Director and President: Kosei Shindo) in a 206,600 metric tons deadweight (M.T.D/W) bulk carrier, due to be launched in October 2015. The provision of anti-piracy safety and improved living condition for crew members, as well as the adoption of the plate, that has improved collision safety, will contribute to safer and securer voyages.
The Aero-Citadel was first used in the 95,000 M.T.D/W bulk carrier, which was launched in June 2013 and received the “Ship of the Year Award 2013” in 2014.
All staircases, which typically are placed outside the living quarter, are placed inside the superstructure as an anti-piracy measure, and various accommodations are enhanced to help realize a safer and more pleasant journey for crew members. The slim-streamlined shape of the superstructure reduces wind pressure during navigation.
The NSafeTM-Hull has excellent ductility, while maintaining the workability (e.g., machinability and weldability) of conventional steel, which substantially improves a ship’s collision safety.
If a ship is made of NSafeTM-Hull, due to superior ductility of the material, the energy absorbed before breaking of the hull could be roughly triple that of a ship made of conventional steel, in the case of a lateral collision. Together with the National Maritime Research Institute, NSSMC has already conducted collision simulations and confirmed high safety performance. The material will help prevent water leakage and oil leakage, which could result in serious environmental pollution, as well as protect cargo. On the new ship, approximately 2,000 tons of NSafeTM-Hull, in total, will be used for structural parts where high collision safety performance is required, such as the side plates of cargo holds and fuel tanks.
With the aim of further contributing to realize safer, securer marine transportation in the world, Imabari and NSSMC will continue working for technological development.
[Outline of the bulk carrier]
| Deadweight: |
206,600 tons |
| Dimension: | Length overall: 299.94 m; |
| Breadth: | 50.00 m; |
| Draught: | 24.70 m |
| Built by: | Saijo Shipyard of Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. |
| Amount of NSafeTM-Hull used: Approximately 2,000 tons | |
Photo 1: A 206,600 M.T.D/W bulk carrier, the same type as the ship which will be built using NSafeTM-Hull
Photo 2: The Aero-Citadel
Fig. 1: Overall view of parts for which NSafeTM-Hull was used (Parts in red and yellow)
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Fig. 2: Sectioned view of parts for which NSafeTM-Hull was used (Parts in red) |
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Fig. 3: Lateral collision (schematic) |
