A global shipping company partnered with Kjærulf Pedersen a/s to address the growing risk of container loss at sea, which has been increasingly linked to dangerous roll phenomena such as parametric, synchronous, and resonance roll.
In response, Kjærulf Pedersen developed the Motion Detecting Unit (MDU) — a full onboard system that digitizes ship motion in real time, detects dangerous patterns, and enables early warning of high-risk situations.
The MDU helps crews take proactive action to prevent container loss, reduce structural damage, and increase operational safety on large vessels.
Motion Detecting Unit (MDU) – Digitizing Ship Movement for Operational Safety
The Motion Detecting Unit (MDU) is a self-contained onboard system designed to digitize ship motion in real time and at high resolution. Built around a hybrid sensor platform with accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer, the system delivers full inertial data at 100Hz, including dynamic trim and list, pitch, roll, torsion, hogging, and sagging.
The MDU logs both historical and live motion data locally and securely. Data is encrypted, backed up through a fault-tolerant RAM overlay system, and remains accessible even in case of SSD failure. All processing and storage is handled internally, with no third-party dependency.
Designed for autonomous installation, the system is ship-crew deployable and supports optional integration with onboard systems. Operators can input vessel-specific sensor coordinates for accurate motion vector calculations. The MDU supports ingestion of additional data such as vessel speed, fuel flow, draft, and depth.
For extended connectivity, the unit supports data transmission via VDES (VHF Data Exchange System), AIS 2.0, and satellite or terrestrial links. This enables motion data to be shared fleet-wide or with shore stations, contributing to smarter navigation, route optimization, and vessel coordination.
With 24/7/365 operation across more than 200 container and tanker-class vessels, the MDU helps ship operators monitor and document real-world movement patterns, enabling safer voyages and a more data-informed approach to maritime operations.
What is the MDU and what does it do?
The Motion Detecting Unit (MDU) is a self-contained onboard system that captures real-time and historical ship motion data. It measures pitch, roll, torsion, trim, and other critical motion parameters at 100 Hz, making it possible to document vessel movement accurately for operational awareness and safety.
What are the main benefits of the MDU system?
The MDU provides high-resolution motion data that supports safer navigation, fuel-efficient routing, and better understanding of vessel dynamics. It integrates with onboard systems, operates 24/7, stores data securely, and is designed for ship-crew installation without third-party dependencies.
How does the MDU help prevent container loss?
By documenting ship motion in real time, the MDU enables operators to monitor conditions that are often linked to container loss, such as parametric or resonance roll. The data it provides can be used to support route adjustments or operational decisions that reduce risk.
Which vessels use the MDU system?
The MDU is installed on more than 200 large container vessels and several tanker-class ships worldwide. It is deployed by global shipping companies seeking to improve safety, operational consistency, and motion documentation.
Can the MDU be integrated with existing onboard systems?
Yes. The MDU can ingest and align with data from ship control systems such as vessel speed, fuel flow, draft, and depth. It also supports optional integration with communication platforms including VDES and AIS 2.0 for fleet-wide motion data sharing.
Want to know more?
Read our case story on the Motion Detecting Unit (MDU) and how operators use motion data to reduce container loss.
Download case story (PDF):
Download MDU Case Story (PDF)
Contact:
Ole Egelykke-Milandt — Sales Engineer / Project Manager
📞 +45 21 24 54 72 · ✉ oem@kp-as.com
Johan Johannesen — Sales Manager
📞 +45 21 24 09 79 · ✉ jjo@kp-as.com