NYK and MTI, a member of the NYK Group, have partnered with UK-based Signol Limited (Signol), a provider of behavior change services for crew on board ships and aircraft, to commence a trial.
This trial aims to promote decarbonization through behavioral changes in the daily operations of seafarers. During this trial, the operational data of 33 vessels operated by the NYK Group will be analyzed using Signol’s service.
By providing seafarers with personalized goals, positive feedback, and unique insights, the initiative aims to foster awareness of decarbonization and promote concrete behavioral changes on board.
In the shipping industry, efforts to decarbonize are accelerating globally under the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). While technical measures — such as improving the energy efficiency of vessels themselves and introducing new fuels — are progressing, the NYK Group recognizes that it is also crucial for seafarers, who are actually engaged in operational duties on the front lines, to understand the importance of decarbonization and take proactive steps in their daily work. At the same time, since crew members’ daily duties are directly linked to the safe operation of vessels, making operational adjustments to save fuel often requires difficult judgment calls, and there were limits to what could be optimized through manual efforts alone. Given this background, NYK and MTI decided to focus on Signol’s services.
Signol’s personalized emails and webapp are driven by behavioral science. Signol analyzes the operational data of each vessel and provides seafarers with personalized goals, positive feedback, and specific behavioral insights based on their individual operational history and current status. This clearly visualizes how seafarers’ own decisions impact fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, thereby promoting operational improvements aimed at fuel savings without compromising safety.
This trial aims to optimize the operation of specific engine-related machinery in which seafarers are particularly deeply involved. For example, by calculating and highlighting the opportunities to reduce the operating time for this machinery, Signol can engage seafarers to save fuel in situations where it might have been a difficult judgement for seafarers.
By analyzing decarbonization data collected before and after the approximately six-month trial, they will verify the potential for seafarer-led contributions to decarbonization efforts. Additionally, the data from this trial will also be provided to Columbia University in the United States, and the publication of an academic paper is being considered as a joint research project involving Columbia University, NYK, MTI, and Signol.
