ONE and ClassNK team up to enhance roll damping tank performance on large container ships, improving cargo safety and operational reliability.
Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE) and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) have launched a joint research project to evaluate the performance of roll damping tanks (RDTs) on large container ships. ONE will supply onboard measurement data from vessels in its fleet. ClassNK will analyze that data alongside numerical simulations to assess roll reduction under actual operating conditions.
The project addresses a clear gap in current industry knowledge. RDT performance on large container ships has mostly been tested through model tests and computer simulations, not through at-sea measurements. By grounding the analysis in real voyage data, the two organizations aim to strengthen cargo safety, improve transit reliability, and build a more resilient and stable supply chain for customers worldwide.
Together, the two organizations are positioned to turn raw operational data into practical, evidence-based insight. That insight carries direct weight for the cargo owners, importers, and logistics partners who depend on container shipping every day.
A ship 'rolls' when it tilts from side to side in waves. RDTs reduce this rolling motion through the controlled movement of liquid inside a tank. As the vessel tilts, the liquid shifts to counter the motion and help steady the ship.
The technology is not new. RDTs have long been established on passenger ships, research vessels, and other specialized vessels. Their use on container ships, however, has grown in recent years as vessels have become larger and the demands on cargo securing have intensified.
Despite growing adoption, RDT performance on large container ships has primarily been evaluated through model tests and numerical simulations. Full-scale verification based on onboard measurements under actual operating and sea conditions remains limited.
The ONE-ClassNK collaboration is designed to close that gap. ONE will provide operational data collected from its vessels. ClassNK will apply its expertise in testing, numerical simulation, and technical analysis to evaluate the data. By comparing real-world measurements with simulation results, the research aims to show how RDTs perform in full-scale operations and how to optimize their performance.
Kumi Miyashita, Corporate Officer at ClassNK, said the project builds a stronger foundation for evaluating the technology.
'We are pleased to work with ONE to verify the effectiveness of RDTs based on data obtained from actual vessel operations,' Miyashita said. 'Through the combination of full-scale measurement data and numerical analysis, we aim to contribute to safer and more efficient vessel operations by establishing a reliable basis for evaluating RDT performance under actual operating and sea conditions.'
Masaharu Urabe, Vice President of Global Vessel Operations at Ocean Network Express, emphasized the practical value for vessel operations and cargo loading.
'We are pleased to collaborate with ClassNK on this important research initiative,' Urabe said. 'By combining ONE's onboard operational data with ClassNK's advanced technical analysis, we aim to establish a practical methodology for quantifying the effectiveness of RDTs under actual operating conditions. We believe that the knowledge gained through this research will further enhance the safety of our vessel operations while contributing to improved container stowage efficiency and loading capability.'
