Diesel Electric Propulsion Systems News

The U.S. offshore wind market presents a $1 billion long-term opportunity to builders of crew transfer vessels (CTV) and service operation vessels (SOV) that will support both wind farm construction and long-term operations and maintenance. Unlike many of the construction vessels to be deployed on U.S. wind projects, CTVs and SOVs must be Jones Act compliant, meaning they will be built, owned and operated by U.S. companies and personnel.However, although seen as somewhat commoditized vessels…

Garry Noonan, Director, Innovation, Ardmore Shipping is candid in discussing emerging technologies and their impact on ship fuel and emissions reductions. With a fleet of product and chemical tankers under his guise, Noonan gives insights on technologies that he has seen work, as well as his thoughts on the fuel transition, which he believes won’t become mainstream until we’re well into the 2030s.While Cork, Ireland-based Ardmore Shipping, founded in 2010, is relatively new in shipping circles…

Engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions and technology company ABB will work together to develop a dual-fuel electric plant concept for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, engineered as part of the companies' efforts to help the international shipping industry reduce its emissions footprint.Under a Memorandum of Understanding, signed at September’s SMM trade show in Hamburg, the two companies will develop a Dual-Fuel, Electric+ (DFE+) propulsion system concept based on MAN’s new 49/60DF four stroke engine and ABB’s Dynamic AC (DAC) power distribution and control system.

Please describe your professional background and what attracted you to your current position.In June 2020, I was named president and chief executive officer of Halter Marine. I had been retired around six years. My wife and I bought a piece of property outside of Brookhaven, Miss., and we were enjoying retired life split between our country property and our home in Gautier, Miss. Earlier this year, I was asked if I would consider a consulting role for Halter Marine, which led…

Dynamic Positioning has been around for a while, it is evolving and it is here to stay. Here to sort it all out are two of industry’s more familiar stakeholders who also explain what might come next.When it comes to critical offshore operations and vessel handling, this is not your grandfather’s marine industry, and it hasn’t been for some time. That’s because the bridge layout and equipment commonly found on any recently delivered offshore service vessel would be unfamiliar to the typical deck officer of just 20 years ago. Much of that can be attributed to the advent of dynamic positioning equipment systems.DP – perhaps like no other skill at sea – has changed the role of the deck officer. The technical requirements to qualify and operate this equipment are vast.

Diesel electric propulsion is a concept that uses an electrical power generation plant to deliver power to the propulsion unit. Case studies show reductions in fuel and maintenance costs with such systems. Those improvements can be further enhanced by the addition of an energy storage system to the vessel.This case study provides a cost benefit analysis of an energy storage system for a vessel owner using a real-world operational profile and case study. It is not a deep dive into all of the aspects and details of an energy storage system.

Danfoss Editron, a company specializes in hybrid and electric powertrain systems for off-highway and marine markets, said that it has provided the hybrid electric drivetrain system powering a new ferry connecting the communities of Thyborøn and Agger in north west Denmark.The ferry, which was delivered by the country’s Søby Værft shipyard, was ordered to replace the previous one that had been running for over 40 years and reached the end of its operational lifetime.Like most ferries in Denmark, the Thyborøn-Agger service operates over a relatively short distance, with an approximate crossing time of just 12 minutes. Because of this short journey time…

Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) became Korea’s first shipbuilder to win an order for a small-to-medium-sized liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier from a foreign shipping company, gaining momentum to pioneer the emerging small-scale LNG tanker segment.HMD signed a contract with Norway’s Knutsen to build a 30,000 cu. m. LNG carrier for $77 million, with an option for a second vessel of the same specification.The signing ceremony, held in Knutsen’s headquarters office based in Oslo, was attended by Hyundai Heavy Industries’ (HHI) President Ka Sam-hyun and Knutsen’s President Trygve Seglem along with others.The vessel on order from Knutsen is 180 meters in length…

Diesel electric technology, as part of a comprehensive engineering design process, should be considered by the inland towboat sector. Diesel electric propulsion is not a new concept. Like azimuthing drives, its application to the inland marine market has lagged behind other areas of the marine industry. Diesel electric has gained traction in industries where fuel economy and redundancy of propulsion systems for safety is paramount. In particular, vessels like passenger ferries and offshore supply vessels have enjoyed the benefits of the diesel electric systems.

At the international maritime exhibition Nor-Shipping in Oslo from May 30 to June 2 2017, MTU, part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, presented its propulsion and systems portfolio, primarily for offshore supply vessels, workboats and ferries. This included Series 2000, 4000 and 8000 propulsion engines in an output range from 400 to 10,000 kW, hybrid propulsion solutions and diesel electric propulsion systems and diesel gensets for the supply of on-board power. Rolls-Royce showcased MTU’s Series 4000 diesel engine meeting IMO III and EPA Tier 4 emission regulations.

Louisiana-based Karl Senner widens its propulsion solutions toolkit with two options, both designed to provide economics, efficiencies and lower emissions. In the increasingly competitive marine propulsion markets, workboat operators now have many choices from which to select an appropriate, long term solution for their propulsion needs. Paramount in that process is the need to meet regulatory requirements without breaking the bank. In response, propulsion distributor Karl Senner LLC offers two different electrical system arrangements; both of which will allow operators to remain tier compliant without the use of after-treatment. Way back in 1967, Karl H. Senner sold the very first Reintjes Gearbox in the North America to Dickie Gonsoulin of LeBeouf Towing.

The marine industry is now recognizing the potential of utilizing hybrid power and innovative propulsion systems. Certain maritime sectors are potentially well suited to hybrid systems. These include ferries, pilot boats and workboats that have relatively consistent duty cycles. For military applications, hybrid systems are relevant for patrol, intercept and autonomous vessel duties. Submarines have utilized batteries and stored energy for many years. Diesel/electric systems have long been in use, but these are not hybrid systems.

Rolls-Royce will showcase its latest marine power innovations, including several MTU commercial marine products and systems, at the International Workboat Show 2015, December 1-3 in New Orleans. The MTU brand is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems within the Land & Sea division of Rolls-Royce. The company’s exhibit will feature the MTU 8V 4000 M54 Ironmen commercial marine engine. Certified for U.S. EPA Tier 3 emissions regulations without the use of exhaust aftertreatment, MTU Series 4000 Ironmen commercial marine engines are available with 8-…

In 2015 two significant developments are going to make many operators, owners and builders of professional vessels consider hybrid marine power. First, the new emissions laws in ports and second, there is now an incentive for high technology manufacturers to invest in developing highly efficient batteries. Hybrid is ‘here and now’ technology that is being utilized by many industries around the world. The marine industry is now recognizng the potential of utilizing hybrid power and innovative propulsion systems for vessels in the sub IMO / sub 24 meter (80 feet) professional sector.

CSBC Corporation Taiwan has chosen Siemens to supply diesel-electric propulsion systems and other accessories for four 65,000-ton semi-submersible deck cargo vessels (SSDCVs). The country’s largest shipyard is building the vessels for a customer in Singapore. Compared to conventional mechanical propulsion technologies, Siemens’ diesel-electric system will reduce fuel costs by up to 15 percent, resulting from unique power management features, the manufacturer said. Likewise, associated propellers, rudders and thrusters will improve the vessel’s maneuverability when operating at low speeds. Each propulsion system includes an IDS comprising low-voltage propulsion motors and frequency converters that facilitate economic…

For many years the start-stop function has become a common feature on automotive engines to reduce both fuel consumption and emissions. But the saving potential is much larger with onboard electrical power supply and propulsion systems. Long-term measurements onboard passenger vessels with diesel-electric propulsion systems have shown interesting insights into the load balance. The operational time with 30 to 40% load, for instance, is much longer than that of 70 to 80% load.

Family owned shipping firm The Craig Group launched its latest Platform Supply Vessel (PSV), the Grampian Sceptre this week at the Balenciaga Shipyard in Northern Spain. The vessel was officially christened by Mrs. Frances Murray, wife of Alistair Murray, Logistics Team Lead at Talisman Sinopec Energy U.K. Ltd. Craig Group committed £50M to the construction of this vessel, and it’ sister vessel the Grampian Sovereign. The vessels are the largest ever built by Craig Group and both have secured long term contracts with Talisman Sinopec Energy U.K. Limited.

L-3 SAM Electronics announced today that it has completed the supply and installation of extensive drive equipment, as well as automation, navigation and positioning systems, on board the Heavy-Lift Jack-Up Vessel (HLJV) Vidar, which is operated by HOCHTIEF Infrastructure GmbH for construction and service support of offshore wind farms. The Vidar is the latest in a series of recently completed offshore turnkey projects undertaken by L-3 SAM Electronics on behalf of leading operators in the world’s offshore industry.

MAN Diesel & Turbo has won the order from Meyer Werft for new cruise vessels for Norwegian Cruise Line to supply its V48/60CR engines with diesel-electric propulsion systems. The ships will be built at Meyer Werft, the cruise liner specialist builder in Papenburg, northern Germany. Norwegian is a longstanding customer of MAN Diesel & Turbo with almost its entire fleet powered by the 48/60 and 58/64 engine types. The new ships, accorded the project name Breakaway Plus, will be the largest in Norwegian’s fleet.

Gazprom and Sovcomflot named the new state-of-the-art 170,000m³ liquefied natural gas carrier (LNGC) Pskov, after one of the oldest Russian cities. The ship will be chartered to Gazprom Global LNG (GGLNG) under a long-term contract. The LNGC Pskov is the second vessel in a series of high-specification, ice class Atlanticmax LNG carriers that have been specially designed in accordance with Gazprom’s requirements, and will support Gazprom’s global commercial operations in the gas markets. The first LNGC, Velikiy Novgorod, was delivered and entered service in January of this year. The naming ceremony took place at the STX shipyard, South Korea.

Bourbon announces that it sold three vessels, including a tug, an MPSV (Multi-Purpose Supply Vessel) from the Subsea Services fleet and a PSV (Platform Supply Vessel), for an approximate total amount of $38 million, generating a total capital gain of approximately $18 million. These three traditional diesel propulsion vessels, 10, 14 and 21 years old, respectively, are now in the possession of and operated by their new owners. According to Bourbon, these three separate sales fall within the company's strategy to build its fleet with modern ships, built in series and equipped with diesel-electric propulsion systems, to offer clients the service quality of a standardized fleet of modern and efficient vessels.

Norway's Havyard says it has signed a contract for the construction of a Havyard 833 WE ICE platform supply vessel with Fafnir Offshore HF. The vessel is to be designed by Havyard Design and Solutions in Fosnavaag & will be constructed at Havyard Ship Technology`s yard in Leirvik in Sogn, Norway. The vessel will become newbuild number 126, and has a contract value of just above NOK 350 million being due for delivery in July 2015. The designers explain that the Havyard 833 WE ICE…

A hallmark of the global maritime industry is the proliferation of smaller, family founded and managed businesses. R.W. Fernstrum is one such company: a ubiquitous presence for more than 65 years providing engineered cooling solutions to maritime and offshore markets. MR  went to Menominee, MI, to meet with Sean Fernstrum and his team for insights on the unique products it produces and the markets it serves. R.W. Fernstrum & Company of Menominee, Mich., is a leader in engineering and manufacturing keel cooling technologies…