Nabtesco Corporation, a leader in motion control technology, has achieved a significant milestone in marine fuel optimization. The company successfully deployed its Telegraph Agent™ automatic speed control system aboard the car carrier Malaysia Grace, owned by Eastern Car Liner Co Ltd (ECL), resulting in a 3.4% reduction in fuel consumption. This success was further amplified by the integration of DeepSea Technologies’ AI-powered optimization tool, Cassandra, which managed the vessel’s speed across major trade routes in Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania.
The success of this deployment has prompted ECL to expand the technology across its entire fleet. N Murakami, CEO of ECL Ship Management Co Ltd, expressed excitement over the innovation, stating, “As the first company in Japan to adopt this technology, we are eager to collaborate further with Cassandra and Telegraph Agent™. Embracing new technologies is core to our business, and the resulting emissions reduction will be invaluable to our clients.”
Dr. Konstantinos Kyriakopoulos, CEO of DeepSea Technologies, also praised the deployment, noting, “We are thrilled that our AI-driven approach is being embraced in Japan, where there is a strong commitment to addressing the dual challenges of decarbonization and crewing. Cassandra’s AI unlocks the full potential of Telegraph Agent™ to optimize fuel efficiency across every voyage.”
Launched in 2024, the Telegraph Agent™ system allows vessel owners to control the main engine output based on RPM, power, or speed parameters set by the crew. Combined with Cassandra’s real-time analysis of operational data, the system identifies fuel-saving opportunities and improves decision-making by continuously assessing the relationship between speed and fuel consumption, even under varying weather and oceanic conditions.
Telegraph Agent™ is designed as an entry-level solution for companies adopting intelligent automation. It is part of Nabtesco’s broader strategy to provide advanced control systems that leverage AI to enhance sailing efficiency, reduce emissions, and alleviate the workload of seafarers.
The 3.4% fuel efficiency improvement was validated during a structured 10-day trial, alternating between ‘on’ and ‘off’ states every three hours. The test demonstrated that, while the operational speed remained constant at 17.0 knots, the use of Telegraph Agent™ resulted in significantly less fluctuation in speed and fuel consumption, confirming its effectiveness in optimizing engine performance.