On August 2, Japanese merchant Marine Mitsui Co., LTD. (MOL) launched a world-first bulk carrier using NSafe-Hull.
NSafe-Hull, developed by Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal in collaboration with Imaji Shipbuilding and Japan's National Maritime Research Institute, has a high-toughness ship plate that improves safety in the event of a collision.
The NSafe-Hull plates are malleable while maintaining the serviceability of conventional steel plates, such as machinable and weldable, to continuously improve collision safety. Due to the excellent ductility of the material, a ship using this type of plate absorbs three times the impact force of a traditional steel-built ship in the event of a side collision.
In all, Mitsui's bulk carriers used about 3, 000 tons of NSafe-Hull plates, which are used on the sides of things like cargo and fuel tanks to prevent oil spills and seawater flooding that can directly damage the cargo.
With the support of the Japan Classification Society, further analysis of the plates will be carried out and consideration will be given to arranging a high level safety symbol for ships. Nippon Steel, Imaji Shipbuilding and Japan's National Maritime Research Institute will continue to work together to promote the use of NSafe-Hull on a wider range of ships.
Merchant Marine Mitsui's new bulk carrier main information is as follows:
Deadweight tons: 206,600 tons
Total length: 299.94 meters
Width: 50 meters
Depth: 24.7 meters
Built by: Imaji Shipbuilding Saijo Shipyard
Owner: Merchant Marine Mitsui
NSafe-Hull Usage: Approximately 3,000 tons
