Hybrid Propulsion Solution News

North Kingstown, R.I. shipyard Senesco Marine said it has been selected by the Maine Department of Transportation to build a new hybrid-electric passenger vessel for the Maine State Ferry Service (MSFS).The 154-foot passenger-vehicle ferry, designed by Gilbert Associates, will be equipped with BAE Systems’ electric hybrid propulsion solution to deliver reduced and zero-emission operations capability for the Rockland-based ferry service that serves nearly 500,000 riders and 190…

Eidesvik said it plans to upgrade its offshore wind support vessel Acergy Viking with a battery pack and hybrid propulsion solution, in line with the Norwegian vessel operator's plans to reduce its fleet’s emissions by 50% by 2030 and to operate emissions-free by 2050.The conversion of the 14-year-old vessel will be completed in the first quarter of 2022. With hybrid propulsion, the 97.6-meter ship is expected to reduce diesel consumption (MGO) by up to 350 tonnes per year, with a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions of more than 1,000 tonnes per year, Eidesvik said.“Eidesvik took an active role in the development of a battery solution for ships already in 2006.

Finnish marine equipment and technology provider Wärtsilä has won a contract to deliver an integrated hybrid propulsion solution for three new Misje Rederi bulk carriers. Wärtsilä said its extensive experience in marine hybrid propulsion solutions "will enable a greatly decreased emissions footprint for three newbuild eco-friendly 5,000 dwt bulk carriers." The 90 meters long ships are being built at the Colombo Dockyard in Sri Lanka for Misje Eco Bulk, a unit of Norway based Misje Rederi group.

Finnish tech company Wärtsilä revealed Thursday that it booked an order in Q1 2020 to supply engines for British ferry operator P&O Ferries' two new hybrid electric ferries on order at China's Guangzhou Shipyard International.P&OF has stated that the new hybrid-electric vessels, to be powered by powered by the Wärtsilä 31 four-stroke diesel engines, “will be the most sustainable ships ever to sail the English Channel, setting new standards for reliability and cost efficiency.”The double-ended RoPax ferries will operate between England and France.

Swiss-based ABB said it has been awarded a contract from Guangzhou Shipyard International to supply electric, digital and connected solutions for two new vessels the Chinese shipyard is building for British operator P&O Ferries.The hybrid propulsion solution, using electric power from 8.8MWh batteries and diesel generators, will cut fuel consumption on P&O Ferries’ Dover-Calais route by 40%, ABB said. The batteries will provide full power for harbor maneuvering and stay in port…

The technology solutions provider for the marine and energy markets Wärtsilä has been selected to provide the complete system design and full equipment scope for two new 9300 DWT self-discharging bulk carriers featuring hybrid propulsion.The Finnish corporation announced that the ships will be the first of their kind to be fitted with a hybrid propulsion solution. They are being built for Norway’s Aasen Shipping at the Royal Bodewes shipyard in the Netherlands. The yard has also designed the vessels. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in December 2019.Wärtsilä was contacted to determine whether a hybrid installation would be beneficial for these new ships.

A pair of 9,300 DWT self-discharging bulk carriers being built for Norway’s Aasen Shipping at the Royal Bodewes shipyard in the Netherlands will be the first of their kind to be fitted with a hybrid propulsion solution.Wärtsilä said it secured an order in December 2019 to provide the complete system design and full equipment scope for two newbuilds.Torbørn Torkelsen, CEO at Aasen Shipping, said, “We approached Wärtsilä because of their capabilities in delivering hybrid propulsion systems.”When contacted to determine whether a hybrid installation would be beneficial for these new ships…

Acta Centaurus, a new DP2 walk-to-work offshore wind construction support vessel owned by Netherlands-based Acta Marine, will be fitted with hybrid propulsion capability from Wärtsilä, the Finland-based technology group announced on Thursday.Hybrid propulsion will allow the vessel to operate with less running engines at more optimized load, creating fuel consumption and environmental benefits.The solution to be provided by Wärtsilä includes the hybrid drive, the batteries and an energy management system…

The Damen Gorinchem Holland shipyard has ordered a hybrid-propulsion solution from MAN Energy Solutions in connection with the building of 2 × dual-fuel/hybrid RoRo ferries for Canadian outfit, Seaspan Ferries Corporation. The order covers the provision of MAN 35/44DF dual-fuel engines, fuel gas-supply systems and the main electric systems, including batteries.MAN Energy Solutions will provide the solutions in association with Aspin Kemp & Associates (AKA), in which it has a 40% stake.

WE Tech Solutions Oy (WE Tech) has been awarded the contract for delivery of an avant-garde Hybrid Electric Propulsion solution to Rauma Marine Construction Oy (RMC).The solution includes Propulsion drives, Energy Storage System (battery banks and DCDC converters), Main Propulsion Switchboards, Shore connection switchgears, Energy Management System and the Propulsion Control System. WE Tech and RMC will together bring Wasaline’s new RoPax ferry to the next level of sustainable shipping. The new ferry is being built by RMC in Rauma Finland and is scheduled for delivery in May 2021.

The Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has signed an agreement with the international shipping company Hagland Shipping AS for a hybrid retrofit installation.The project will take place onboard the ‘Hagland Captain’, a general cargo vessel owned by Hagland Shipping. It will be the first project of its kind ever in short-sea shipping applications. The agreement was signed in December 2018.The installation of a Wärtsilä battery hybrid propulsion solution will significantly enhance the ship’s environmental performance by reducing its emissions, fuel consumption, and noise. Included in the solution are a shore power connection to provide power for loading/unloading operations and for battery charging…

In a close collaboration with Svitzer of Denmark, SCHOTTEL has developed a new hybrid propulsion concept. The new concept is based on the recent SCHOTTEL Y-Hybrid thruster technology and connects a port and starboard mounted azimuth thruster in a vessel with each other. This makes it possible to drive two thrusters with either one of the main engines. The companies are now discussing a pilot project to retrofit an existing tug with the new mechanical hybrid technology. This will transform the direct driven vessel into a greener and more cost-efficient vessel.

At an exhibition in New Orleans Wärtsilä debuted its first Wärtsilä-branded high-speed engine.The Wärtsilä 14 is a high-speed, compact engine designed to fit requirements for limited space and weight, lower capital expense, to meet current and future global emissions regulations, and to provide customers with improved efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability.The Wärtsilä 14 serves both as main propulsion and auxiliary genset and is ideal for hybrid installations. This small but mighty high-speed engine is available in 12- and 16-cylinder configurations…

A new portfolio of tug designs, to be known as the Wärtsilä HYTug series, place emphasis on environmental sustainability. Since tugs typically operate in or close to harbors and populated areas, they are particularly affected by environmental considerations, and the need for regulatory compliance is an increasing concern for tug owners and operators worldwide. Having already introduced tug designs featuring liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel technology as an efficient means for complying with environmental legislation…

Caterpillar Marine, partnering with Caterpillar Innovation & Technology Development Division (ITDD), is in the process of developing a proprietary advanced propulsion system for marine applications. The Cat Marine Advanced Variable Drive (AVD) is a patented system that leverages Caterpillar’s experience with heavy duty continuously variable transmission (CVT) technology, advanced controls and power system integration knowledge. In this joint development, ITDD is leading a cross…

Wärtsilä said it has been contracted to deliver the ship design for a new processing and transportation vessel to be built at the Balenciaga shipyard in Spain on behalf of Hav Line AS of Norway. In addition to the design, Wärtsilä will also supply an integrated solution comprising a 10-cylinder Wärtsilä 31 main engine, auxiliary engines, propulsion machinery, the propulsion remote control system, and the electrical and automation system. The delivery of the Wärtsilä solutions will be during autumn 2017 and the vessel is scheduled for delivery in summer 2018.

Norsepower Oy Ltd., the leading provider of low maintenance, software operated, and data verified auxiliary wind propulsion systems, has been selected to receive €2.6 million in funding to further its research and development of the Norsepower Rotor Sail Solution technology. The new models of the technology will include the world’s largest ever Flettner rotor. Awarded by the European Commission and the Finnish Government’s funding agency for Innovation, Tekes, the funding will be used by Norsepower to optimize its Rotor Sail Solution to deliver greater fuel savings and enhanced ROI.

LNG? Methanol as fuel? Hybrid systems? Tier 4? Reducing noise? Cutting emissions without crushing fuel economy? Marine News readers have questions and Bob Kunkel has answers. Kunkel, President of Alternative Marine Technologies, previously served as the Federal Chairman of the Short Sea Shipping Cooperative Program under the Maritime Administration and Department of Transportation from 2003 until 2008. A past Vice President of the Connecticut Maritime Association, he is a contributing writer for Maritime Professional and Marine News. A graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Kunkel sailed as a licensed engineer and eventually continued his career in ship construction at NASSCO, San Diego, Hyundai Heavy Industries, S. Korea, Chengxi Shipyard and Dalian New Shipyard in China.

The Fairplay fleet in Rotterdam welcomes two new members: The hybrid tractor tugs Fairplay IX and Fairplay XI, each equipped with a SCHOTTEL hybrid propulsion system including two SCHOTTEL Rudderpropellers SRP 4000 with hybrid gearboxes, two electric motors and an integrated steering control system, specialized for hybrid propulsion. Tugs are required to fulfill a variety of daily tasks, covering the full power spectrum, from stand by periods to towing operations. The installed hybrid propulsion concept enables the Fairplay tugs to operate with an optimal power output, SCHOTTEL said.

Aker Yards has entered into a contract with an International Shipping Company, for building of two Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels of Aker Yards AH 12 design. The two vessels are scheduled for delivery in Q4 2010 and Q2 2011. The hull for the vessels will be built at Aker Yards in Romania and outfitted at Aker Yards in Norway. "This is an historic day for Aker Yards, both given the magnitude of the order and the type of vessel. We are proud to be given the opportunity to design and build the most powerful sister vessels in Aker Yards' history". The vessels will be equipped with a hybrid propulsion solution and will have a bollard pull in excess of 350 tons.