VESSEL REVIEW | One Inspiration – Japanese-built 24,000TEU boxship fitted with energy-saving features

Japan Marine United (JMU) has handed over a new container vessel to compatriot shipping company Shoei Kisen Kaisha for operation under a long-term charter contract with container line Ocean Network Express (ONE).

One Inspiration is the fifth vessel in a new series of six 24,000TEU containerships constructed jointly by JMU and Shoei Kisen's parent company Imabari Shipbuilding for operation by ONE. Known as the One Innovation-class, these ships were built to have one of the largest class cargo capacities currently available. The newbuild also utilises JMU's proprietary technology that ensures a high level of both environmental and loading performance and as well as the ability to operate in a wide range of maritime areas.

One Inspiration has an LOA of 399.95 metres (1,312 feet), a moulded beam of 61.4 metres (201.4 feet), a moulded draught of 16.5 metres (54 feet), a depth of 33.2 metres (108.9 feet), a gross tonnage of approximately 235,311, and accommodations for 34 crewmembers. One Mitsui-MAN B&W 9G95ME-C10.6 diesel engine propels the ship to a service speed of just under 15 knots.

The design adopts a number of energy-saving features developed in-house by JMU such as efficient rudder and fin designs, which will enable the ship to achieve a high level of fuel efficiency even with a large hull size and a deep draught. The builder said the features also help the ship satisfy EEDI Phase III requirements.

The main engine is electronically controlled and is fitted with an inverter-controlled seawater pump for cooling purposes to help reduce fuel consumption over the same sailing distances. The engine room is also fitted with a ventilation fan.

To further improve the ship's performance, a wind cover is installed at the bow to help minimise wind resistance even with the presence of containers stacked forward of the superstructure.

Brittle crack arrest technology has been incorporated in the extremely thick, high-strength steel plates, and JMU said this is the first application of the technology on a vessel of this size. This improves the safety of the hull structure without compromising loading efficiency.

A hybrid exhaust gas aftertreatment system helps reduce the vessel's SOx emissions while an alternative marine power system will be used in place of the diesel generator for greater safety when conducting cargo operations while quayside.

The vessel's fully enclosed bridge will permit the crew to navigate under a broad range of weather conditions. The bridge boasts an electronics suite that includes an integrated navigation system, a voyage assistance system, and screens that show the live feed from CCTV cameras installed in the engine room. The latter allows the crew to remotely monitor activity in the engine room without having to leave the bridge during critical navigation such as berthing, unberthing, and sailing through busy port waters.

One Inspiration was built in compliance to DNV class rules including Cyber Security notation and sails under the flag of Liberia.