China Direct

Rolls Royce installing advanced safety systems on Japanese shipping

 

CBI member Rolls-Royce has signed a deal with Japanese multi-modal transport company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), to collaborate in the development of its intelligent awareness system.

The collaboration will be on board 165 metre passenger ferry SUNFLOWER, which is owned and operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines’ subsidiary company.

Ferry SUNFLOWER operates on a 222-nautical mile route between Kobe and Oita via the Akashi Kaikyo, Bisan Seto and Kurushima Straits. Rolls-Royce Intelligent awareness systems will make vessels safer, easier and more efficient to operate by providing crew with an enhanced understanding of their vessel’s surroundings.

This will be achieved by fusing data from a range of sensors with information from existing ship systems; such as Automatic Identification System (AIS) and radar. Data from other sources, including global databases, will also have a role.

Please read more here.

GKN Unveils New Advanced Driveline Production Facility In Japan

 CBI Member GKN Driveline has unveiled plans to construct a new world-class manufacturing facility in Tokoname City, Japan. The new site will replace an older plant, representing a substantial technological upgrade of GKN Driveline’s capability in the region.

The announcement follows a significant number of new business wins for GKN Driveline’s All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and eDrive systems, with the company forecasting a significant uplift in revenue from the operation over the next four years. Construction of the new facility will break ground in September 2017 and is scheduled to be complete by the middle of 2018.

The new Tokoname City operation will be state-of-the-art and filled with GKN’s best practice manufacturing technology, able to deliver high quality, next-generation AWD systems and Rear Drive Modules (RDMs), featuring advanced technologies such as electronic disconnect capability and torque vectoring.

Please read more here.