Electric Propulsion Solution News

Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania will work with technology company ABB to explore building an electric ferry with hybrid-electric propulsion which could transition to battery power as shore charging becomes available.Seeking a transitional route to zero-emission operations for the ferry segment, Incat and ABB will evaluate the suitability of the ‘Incat 148E’ - a 148-meter-long roll-on roll-off passenger (RoPax) catamaran for operating in hybrid mode as well as adapting to full battery operation at a later stage.Conceived by Revolution Design…

ABB said Thursday it would deliver an integrated electric propulsion system and vessel control technology for Crowley’s pioneering eWolf tug, built for sustainable and safe operations at the Port of San Diego.Upon delivery by Alabama-based shipbuilder Master Boat Builders, Inc. (MBB) in mid-2023, Crowley Maritime Corporation’s new 82-foot (25-meter) vessel will support ship arrivals and departures at the Port of San Diego in California.It will be the first all-electric, battery…

U.S. shipbuilding company Vigor has selected ABB to supply the hybrid-electric propulsion and energy storage systems for the newest additions to the Washington State Ferry fleet, setting the largest U.S. ferry system on course to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel use.The new Olympic Class ferries, each with a capacity of 144 cars and 1,500 passengers, with the planned addition of charging capability at terminals, would reduce fuel consumption by up to 95%. Upon delivery in 2024…

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  provider of energy-efficient solutions for shipbuilding, WE Tech Solutions has been awarded the contract for delivery of an avant-garde Hybrid Electric Propulsion solution to Rauma Marine Construction (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 Ice Class 1A Super ferry…

The Worldwide Ferry Safety Association (WFSA) is pleased to announce that winners have been selected for its 2019 Ferry Design Competition. The awards will be presented at WFSA’s Ferry Safety and Technology Conference, which will be be held in Bangkok February 20‐22, 2019. In the contest, student teams were tasked with designing a passenger ferry for the Pasig River, the locus of commercial and public activities in Manila. Dr. Roberta Weisbrod, Executive Director of WFSA, had…

Long a staple for offshore service providers, a more compact and carefully designed version of the diesel electric option is now available for inland pushboats. For budget conscious operators (and who isn’t, in this environment?), the stars may finally be aligned.For many years, electric propulsion has proven to be a viable propulsion solution for many different types of vessels. Most familiar to workboat stakeholders would be the advent of the ‘diesel electric’ offshore serve providers (OSV) that became commonplace during the offshore boom era. Those vessels operated in a different regulatory environment, with the emphasis more leaning towards operational efficiencies and fuel economy.

Breaking new ground: the all-electric, zero-emissions Future of The FjordsNorwegian cruise vessel offers amazing tourist experience while protecting fragile UNESCO World Heritage environmentFuture of the Fjords, the world’s first all-electric and completely emissions-free ship, launched in April this year by Norwegian tours operator The Fjords, is now operating as a cruise vessel on the spectacular Gudvangen to Flåm route along the Nærøyfjord, Sognefjord and Aurlandsfjord of western Norway.

Siemens said it has secured a contract to supply propulsion systems for two new The all-electric battery ferries to be operated by Fjord1 on the E39 Anda-Lote route on the west coast of Norway. Both vessels will have a cargo capacity of 120 cars, 12 trailers and 349 passengers. Operation on the 2.4 kilometer-long route will start in January 2018. With this contract, the first four battery-driven ferries in the world will run on technology developed and manufactured by Siemens, the company noted.

Power and automation technology group ABB has won a European Marine Engineering Award, acknowledging the innovation behind the new Azipod D electric propulsion solution, launched in 2015. The 2016 Award for Auxiliary Machinery category honors auxiliary systems that demonstrate innovative and original development that improves a ship’s operational efficiency or reduces risk to personnel. Introduced in 2015, Azipod D propulsion was brought to market to allow a wider range of vessel types to benefit from the proven reliability and flexibility that have made Azipod the leading propulsion system across numerous ship types. Available in power ranges from 1.6 megawatts to 7 megawatts (MW) per unit…

Caterpillar Marine announced it will supply complete propulsion packages for two liftboats under construction at Jiangsu Dajing Heavy Industry Co Ltd in China. Two identical diesel-electric systems comprising four Cat Propulsion MTA-523 1500kW azimuth thrusters driven by electric motors and soft starters as well as eight Cat C32 generator sets will be delivered for each vessel. The two vessels, designed by Shanghai Bestway Marine Technology Development Company Ltd, are being built for Chinese owner Mekers Offshore Company Ltd and are due for delivery in summer 2016.

Caterpillar Marine today announced the open order board of the Cat 3516C United States EPA Tier 4 propulsion, auxiliary and diesel electric propulsion (DEP) power solutions. In addition to being EPA Tier 4 certified, the 3516C solutions are IMO II certified and IMO III compliant. The Cat 3516C Tier 4 certified engine is available in a ‘B’ rating of 2,240 bKW at 1,800 rpm and a ‘C’ rating of 2350 bKW at 1,800 rpm. An auxiliary engine is available in a rating of 2,250 ekW at 1,800 rpm. Finally, the diesel electric propulsion solution is available in a 2,250 eKW rating at 1,800 rpm.

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…

The first engine platforms to be rolled out as Tier 4 solutions are two legendary performers in the commercial marine industry: the Cat 3516C marine engine as well as the Cat 280 marine engine. The C280 engine will be available as Tier 4 certified in both the 8 and 12 cylinder configurations. The Cat 3516C Tier 4 certified engine as well as the Cat C280-8 Tier 4 certified engine and Cat C280-12 Tier 4 certified engine are now all available for customers to order through the global Cat dealer network. The Cat 3516C Tier 4 certified engine will be available in ratings of 2,240 bkW and 2350 bkW at 1,800 rpm. An auxiliary or diesel electric propulsion solution is available in a 2,250 ekW (2368 bkW) rating.

Siemens Industr awarded a multimillion dollar contract by LEEVAC Shipyards, LLC to equip two newly constructed Aries Marine Corporation marine platform supply vessels (PSV) with its unique diesel electric propulsion solution at Leevac’s facilities in Jennings, La. “The demands placed on the onboard systems and technologies of today’s PSVs are high as these vessels are specialized and tailored based upon particular machine layouts, power requirements, automation processes, climatic conditions and more,” says David Grucza, marine business manager, Siemens Industry, Inc. The two 270 ft PSVs will be outfitted with Siemens Blue multi-drive, low-voltage system.

Siemens Industry, Inc. (NYSE: SI) wona contract to equip two U.S. Navy Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research (AGOR) vessels with its unique diesel electric propulsion solution at Dakota Creek Industries Inc. (DCI), located in Anacortes, Wash. Seattle-based Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering firm Guido Perla & Associates, Inc. (GPA) will design the ships. The total order value is more than $10 million. "Siemens' dedication to supporting Dakota Creek Industries exemplifies…

Siemens Industry, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract to equip two platform supply vessels (PSVs) with its diesel electric propulsion solution at Fincantieri Marine Group's Bay Shipbuilding Company in Sturgeon Bay, WI. A Tidewater Inc. subsidiary will construct the vessels. The two deepwater PSVs will be outfitted with Siemens Blue™ multi-drive low-voltage propulsion system which improves reliability due to failsafe features that will help the vessel owner lower maintenance costs, and increase efficiency and operational ease for the vessel and crew. The ships' advanced design will also decrease fuel consumption, resulting in reduced emissions of harmful greenhouse gases.

ABB, a power and automation technology group, has won orders worth $30m for electric propulsion, power generation and power distribution systems that maximize the fuel efficiency of offshore supply vessels to be built in China. ABB will provide an integrated electric propulsion solution for each of the vessels. The equipment, including generators, switchgear, transformers, drives and motors, will be delivered to the Fujian Mawei Shipyard on the southeast coast in 2010 and 2011. Offshore supply vessels deliver supplies, ranging from drill pipe to drinking water, to drilling rigs and platforms at sea. Electric propulsion systems equipped with variable speed drives consume significantly less compared with their conventional diesel-mechanical counterparts…

The inherent diversity of the multitude of vessels plying rivers, lakes, harbors and oceans around the world extends past size and shape and type of service - at the heart of each vessel is a propulsion system. Although propulsion systems may often be considered unique, a variety of typical solutions for most types of vessels already exist. In some cases, it may be preferable to simply specify the duplication of an existing propulsion system, allowing a degree of harmonization in the number of required spares, trained mechanics, and maintenance. It would seem, however, that ship owners and operators are placing an increased premium on designs and solutions both unique and innovative, in order to reduce costs and maximize performance.

A recent visit to New Orleans afforded MR a chat with Larry Rigdon, a man who has stirred controversy and heated debate among offshore vessel providers, while steadfastly building what is far from the largest but arguably the finest fleet of boats serving the offshore market. Politics, Money & Competition: By all accounts, Larry Rigdon has had an interesting run through his mid-50s. While thoughts of the majority of men his age are turning to 401K values and retirement, Rigdon decided to design and build a fleet of ten 210- x 54- x 19-ft. diesel-electric platform supply vessels, vessels designed to offer the offshore market an unprecedented level of performance via an adherence to top technical specification.