Ocean Network Express (ONE) and classification society ClassNK have launched a joint research initiative to quantify the performance of roll damping tanks (RDTs) on large container ships, targeting an area where full-scale verification has so far remained limited.

The project will pair ONE's operational onboard data with ClassNK's numerical simulation expertise. The goal: develop a practical methodology for measuring RDT effectiveness under actual sea conditions, rather than relying on model tests and simulations alone.

Why roll reduction matters for boxship operators

Excessive rolling on large container ships increases forces acting on containers and their securing systems, raising the risk of stack collapses, lost cargo, and damage claims. Effective roll reduction supports safer operations, more efficient stowage, and improved loading flexibility — outcomes that directly affect voyage reliability.

RDTs work by controlling the movement of liquid within a tank to damp a ship's rolling motion. The technology is well established on passenger ships and research vessels. Its application to container ships has grown in recent years, according to the partners.

What the data gap looks like

Until now, RDT performance on large container ships has been evaluated primarily through:

• Model tests
• Numerical simulations

Full-scale verification using onboard measurements under real operating and sea conditions has remained scarce.

To address this gap, ONE — the Singapore-headquartered liner and one of the world's largest container shipping companies — will provide operational data collected from its own fleet. ClassNK will apply its experience in testing, simulation, and technical analysis to evaluate the data.

Kumi Miyashita, Corporate Officer at ClassNK, said: "We are pleased to work with ONE to verify the effectiveness of RDTs based on data obtained from actual vessel operations. 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."

What shippers and carriers stand to gain

For liner operators, validated RDT data could inform vessel specifications for newbuildings, particularly as boxship sizes continue to grow and vessels face heavier rolling loads on long-haul trades.

A clearer picture of roll behavior also carries implications for lashing gear design, permissible stack heights, and bay planning.

Masaharu Urabe, Vice President of Global Vessel Operations at Ocean Network Express, said: "We are pleased to collaborate with ClassNK on this important research initiative. 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."

For shippers, the practical effects are less direct but no less relevant. Reduced rolling at sea can lower the incidence of container damage, helping carriers meet transit reliability commitments — a recurring concern on trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe routes where vessel sizes and weather exposure are both increasing.

What's next

ONE and ClassNK have committed to continued data sharing and technical collaboration. The research is expected to yield a framework for evaluating RDT effectiveness that could feed into class rules, newbuilding specifications, and operational practices as RDT adoption expands across the container shipping industry.