Finnish technology group Wärtsilä and classification society RINA have announced a new propulsion arrangement aiming to act as a future-proof alternative to traditional ship design.
As explained, the conventional approach in ship design has been to use 2-stroke engines for propulsion and 4-stroke engines for electric power generation. The new arrangement, however, requires just two 4-stroke dual-fuel engines, with options for electric power back-up from batteries or a small DF generator when the ship is idle.
As a result, the design can achieve a reduction of up to 50% from the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) reference level value, and immediate compliance with the IMO’s 2030 targets.
The combination of fewer running components and 100% redundancy, with a single engine capable of handling both propulsion and electric power, even in port, promotes both safety and reliability,
…says Antonios Trakakis, Greece Marine technical Director at RINA.
A major issue of the upcoming IMO MEPC 76, to begin this week, will be the reduction of GHG emissions, including the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), operational Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII). The meeting is expected to adopt amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, by introducing new regulations 22 (attained EEXI), 25 (required EEXI) and 28 (operational carbon intensity), alongside the guidelines supporting EEXI and operational carbon intensity reduction measures.
