The second seminar focused on products for wood chip carriers was held in Imabari City on July 30, 2025.
– Press Release Summary –
As the fleet of wood chip carriers—used to transport papermaking raw materials—ages,
extending vessel service life and training management personnel have become critical challenges.
IKNOW MACHINERY, a supplier of cargo handling equipment for these vessels, conducts seminars to provide technical information to
ship management companies and charterers. The aim is to support their efforts to extend vessel lifespans by sharing real-world examples of
malfunctions and corresponding countermeasures. Cargo handling systems on chip carriers consist of cranes and conveyor systems that transport cargo to the shore; however, the conveyor systems feature complex structures that impose a heavy maintenance burden.
Furthermore, as the replacement of aging wood chip carriers with new vessels is proceeding more slowly than anticipated,
maintaining the condition of existing ships and training personnel to manage them have become urgent issues.
IKNOW MACHINERY (including its predecessor, Tsuji Heavy Industries) holds a 100% market share for cargo handling equipment
such as cranes and conveyors on wood chip carriers.
In response to the slow pace of fleet renewal and requests from management companies, the company decided to host this seminar.
The objectives were to share case studies to prevent malfunctions, provide the latest information on crane automation technology currently
under development to reduce operational workloads, and gather customer feedback regarding future cargo handling equipment.
The seminar took place on July 30 at the Minato Koryu Center in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, drawing approximately 30 participants
from 14 companies, including ship management firms and charterers from the Setouchi area.
To assist in extending the service life of existing vessels, the company’s after-sales service department shared details on actual issues they had
handled, such as corrosion and holes in jib structures, as well as broken or detached parts, along with preventive measures.
They also introduced data logging system capabilities as an initiative paving the way for remote maintenance.
Additionally, the company presented the development status of automated crane systems designed to reduce the workload of cargo handling
operators. After presenting the results of actual cargo-handling tests and feedback from operators, the company stated its intention to
coordinate with relevant parties and conduct trials with the aim of adopting the technology for next-generation wood chip carriers around 2028.
The previous seminar, held in November 2023, targeted wood chip carrier management companies in Shikoku.
At that time, fleet replacement was anticipated around 2027, so the focus was on providing technical improvements for potential newbuilds;
however, more than a year has since passed, and with the momentum for fleet replacement having waned—shifting the focus instead to
extending the service life of existing vessels, the company decided to hold a seminar centered primarily on maintenance.
As the sole provider of cargo handling equipment for wood chip carriers, the company asserts that it bears the responsibility to further evolve
this technology. It plans to continue providing technical information and pursuing development aimed at reducing the burden on vessel
managers, in line with customer needs.
– End –
