Berg Propulsion News

Bergen Tankers and Equinor have signed a long-term charter agreement for two oil/chemical tanker newbuilds with an electric propulsion system, which aim to set a new standard for low emissions at the Norwegian Coast.The Norway-based companies selected Berg Propulsion as the system integrator for these DNV ice-classed tankers. The newbuild 6,500 dwt stainless steel tankers will be built by Zhoushan Dashenzhou Shipbuilding in China.The vessels will include two electric drive controllable…

Skarv Shipping Solutions, a joint venture between Peak Group and Grieg Edge, has increased its order for ‘zero carbon project carriers’ from Shandong Huanghai Shipbuilding to five ships, extending its commitment to a Berg Propulsion package that optimizes vessel efficiency regardless of power source.Skarv specified inline ammonia-ready engines for the initial four 7,000 dwt ships, with the first ship due delivery in the fourth quarter of 2025, followed by three more through 2026.

BERG Propulsion is offering the shipping industry its first opportunity to select propeller shafts made using the climate neutral GreenForge® production process.Three Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) ro-ro vessels due in service from 2026 to carry aircraft parts across the Atlantic are already set to take advantage of sustainable wind power, courtesy of their rotor sails, while their hybrid propulsion, power management and control technology is coming from BERG.In addition, BERG will supply propeller shafts made from recycled scrap steel…

Norwegian shortsea shipping service provider Lighthouse Ship Management has achieved 33% reduction in fuel costs for one managed general cargo vessel coasters following the installation of a Berg propulsion retrofit package.The Torangsvåg-based fleet manager evaluated Berg’s options for optimizing energy use on board Terneskjaer, an 81m length 2,900 dwt general cargo ship owned by Bio Feeder.The project sought to cut fuel costs and emissions while adding a new competitive edge to a vessel built in 2008.Following a consultative process…

Berg Propulsion has won a contract to deliver the hybrid propulsion solution for three wind-assisted Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) Ro-Ro vessels.Following delivery by China’s Wuchang Shipbuilding from 2026 onwards, the innovative vessels will carry Airbus A320 Family jetliner subassemblies from France to the final assembly line in the United States.The ships have been designed by Deltamarin with the aim of halving fuel burn and CO2 emissions in transatlantic operations by 2030…

Turkish specialized ship manager Chemfleet has confirmed it would equip three more ships with an in-service Berg Propulsion upgrade after verifying 10% fuel savings with chemical tanker trials.According to Chemfleet, an in-service Berg Propulsion upgrade to control systems onboard the tanker YM Miranda yielded fuel savings of around 10%.Trials following the installation of Berg MPC800M control system onboard the 12,933 dwt IMO II chemical tanker have persuaded Chemfleet to upgrade three additional 6…

Erik Thun Group selected Berg Propulsion’s Dynamic Drive technology to optimize efficiency on board all 10 of its latest newbuildings. The Swedish owner confirmed its decision after pilot installations exceeded energy efficiency gain expectations, with the integrated drive solution helping to save 10% of fuel, rising to 20% in some operational conditions.As part of Erik Thun’s rolling fleet renewal strategy, the owner recently expanded its newbuild program with Dutch yard Shipsveerf Ferus Smit B.V to include four 5…

Berg Propulsion has been selected to provide control and propulsion technology for what will be one of the largest hybrid tugs ever delivered, after owner Buksér og Berging AS (BuBe) agreed specifications with Turkey’s Uzmar Shipyard for its latest newbuild.Berg has been contracted to provide the full electrical power and control package for the Robert Allan-designed Rampage 4100BB-H tug, which will join BuBe’s North Sea operations in December 2024. Supply will include the electric motors…

Bulkship Management, the Oslo-based ship manager with a specialty in geared vessels, has confirmed a significant contract to implement Berg Propulsion’s ‘EPL for EEXI’ power limitation solution across 10 ships trading in US Gulf and Caribbean waters.Submitted to the class for approval, the Berg Engine Power Limitation solution is of particular benefit to the many ships whose performance requires only moderate adjustment to meet IMO Energy Efficiency for eXisting ships Index (EEXI)…

The November edition of Marine News magazine highlighted the most notable newbuilds delivered in 2022. From sturdy and nimble workboats, to the first new Jones Act laker in a generation, each vessel on display showcases the industry’s engineering prowess and technological ingenuity, with the focus on improving efficiency in operations. The maritime industry has no shortage of challenges to overcome, and each of Marine News’ top vessels will, in one way or another, aid efforts to tackle them.Mark W.

Berg Propulsion secured its first new tug order in Türkiye since the opening of Berg Propulsion Eurasia in April 2022, contracted to provide a range of propulsion and control equipment for a harbor tug to be built at İÇDAŞ Shipyard.Built to a Robert Allan design, the newbuild RAscal 2000 tug will join the İÇDAŞ fleet to support drydock operations and activities in its surrounding port area of Çanakkale, northwest Türkiye.The kit selected was the twin BERG MTA 318 Fixed Pitch Azimuth Thrusters…

Emissions reductions have been confirmed for the first laker to feature a diesel-electric drive train, after the initial weeks in service of Canada Steamship Lines’ new self-unloader Nukumi. The vessel arrived in Halifax in time to take up duties for the 2022 Great Lakes season complete with patented Direct Drive Electric technology from Berg Propulsion.Built by China’s Chengxi Shipyard, the delivery also marks a bulk carrier market debut for Direct Drive Electric - an integrated solution developed by Berg to make high efficiency electric propulsion easier to adopt.The 26…

The high-powered tug Spartan joined the Seabulk fleet, featuring a fully integrated hybrid propulsion plant from Berg Propulsion. The tug is already operational at Port Arthur following delivery by Master Boat Builders, and the Robert Allan-designed RApport 3000 vessel is the first of two 90-ton bollard pull tugs using the Berg package, with the second due in service in Q3 2022.In addition to Berg MTA 628 azimuthing thrusters, Berg VS3 variable frequency drives with motors, and its own hybrid control system…

Crowley has taken delivery of Athena, its fourth and most powerful Tier IV ship assist and harbor escort tugboat.The 77-foot Athena provides the agility of its compact size without the sacrifice of power – offering the most bollard pull for a tug under 80 feet in the market. The Robert Allan Ltd.-designed RApport 2500 D vessel operates on a pair of 3,386-horsepower Caterpillar Marine 3516 Tier IV-compliant engines, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions while achieving a power output of nearly 6,800 horsepower and 96 tons of bollard pull.

Berg Propulsion opened new offices in Istanbul to reinforce its presence in Turkey and the surrounding region. The operation will be led by Mustafa Müslüm, who has been appointed General Manager, Berg Propulsion Eurasia.Müslüm is familiar with the Berg Propulsion organization, having led regional activities on behalf of Berg Propulsion between 2005 and 2013 Istanbul and Dubai. He went on to serve Reintjex Eurasia and then Schottel Turkey, building on his network of contacts with local designers, owners and yards.

Effective January 1, 2022, Seçkin Uz has been appointed Managing Director for Schottel Turkey.Uz has extensive experience and expertise in the area of ship propulsion. After earning a degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, he began his career with Berg Propulsion in the Asia/Pacific and Middle East region. Upon joining Caterpillar Marine as Managing Director for the entities in Dubai and Istanbul, he steadily pursued to enrich his knowledge and capabilities in the fields of market development, new sales, technical sales and after sales service.

Berg Propulsion has signed a key supplier and cooperation agreement to provide systems integration capability for Yaskawa Environmental Energy / The Switch permanent magnet (PM) and power electronics products. The cooperation creates a new and combined force offering the robustness and efficiency of propulsion systems where electric motors directly drive the propeller shaft, consolidating Berg’s growing presence in electric propulsion.“This is the latest step in Berg’s strategy to become a fully-fledged electrical propulsion systems integrator,” said Stefan Sedersten, CEO, Berg Propulsion.

Berg Propulsion will invest in the centralization of all manufacturing operations for controllable pitch propellers, azimuthing and transverse thrusters, and associated control systems to a single campus location in Sweden.Currently, manufacturing operations are located across two separate campuses in Sweden and Singapore. Investments made by Berg Propulsion to merge manufacturing operations at one global location will enable increased warehouse capacity for spare parts and swing…

Gula Skrinet AB reached an agreement with Caterpillar Luxembourg Sarl to acquire Caterpillar Propulsion AB and its subsidiaries. The sale is expected to close on June 30, 2020. Caterpillar Propulsion AB, formerly Berg Propulsion AB, is a manufacturer of mechanically and electrically driven propulsion systems and marine controls for ships.The proposed acquisition includes Caterpillar Propulsion AB and its subsidiaries, including Caterpillar Propulsion Production AB, as well as Caterpillar Propulsion Pte. Ltd, its subsidiary Caterpillar Propulsion International Trading (Shanghai) Co.

Caterpillar Marine has acquired Johan Walter Berg AB, whose core brand, Berg Propulsion, is a leading manufacturer of mechanically and electrically driven propulsion systems and marine controls for ships. As a result of the acquisition completion, all Berg Propulsion products will be rebranded as Caterpillar. The new Cat® Propulsion System for optimized bundles and propulsion packages includes controllable pitch propellers, transverse thrusters, azimuth thrusters, aftermarket parts and remote control systems. All Cat Propulsion System products are ideally suited for the complete and comprehensive line of Cat and MaK™ medium and high speed engines.

Recently, Mainport, a firm based in Cork Ireland with a range of subsidiaries in diverse marine fields and diverse locations from South Africa to the Caspian and at home in Ireland, extended business to Malaysia where the company is having two new seismic support vessels built at the Shin Yang Shipyard in Miri, Sarawak. The firm sponsored teams to a futsal tournament composed of the shipyard crews building the Mainport Cedar and Mainport Pine. In this manner the firm brought the workers into the global community that is represented by the innovative firm.

Products Join 100, 3000 Series Hydraulic Fluids and Safecare Cleaners as VGP Environmentally Acceptable Products that Deliver Technical Feasibility to Marine Industry. RSC Bio Solutions has announced  that its EnviroLogic 200 and 200 EP series of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) and its EnviroLogic 802 grease, as well as the products’ constituent components, have been evaluated by independent laboratories to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) definitions of biodegradable, minimally toxic and not bioaccumulative.

Caterpillar Marine and Power Systems was one of the most active companies at the 2013 International Workboat Show in New Orleans, debuting several new products that are compliant with EPA Tier 3 and 4 regulations, and finalizing the acquisition of propulsion equipment manufacturer Johan Walter Berg AB. Caterpillar Inc., which is one of the biggest names in industrial equipment, engines and turbines, recorded 2012 sales revenues of $65.9 billion. Contributing to that sum is Cat’s globally-operating subsidiary…