The technology group Wärtsilä along with the Norwegian company Aasen Shipping, came in an agreement for the construction and supply of the world’s first hybrid powered self-discharging bulk carrier. Namely, Wärtsilä will provide its design services and supply hybrid systems for the vessels.
For the records, the 9.000 dwt self-discharging bulkers will be the first of their kind installed with a hybrid propulsion.
As a complete hybrid system supplier, we have again custom designed a propulsion arrangement that delivers high efficiency, lower fuel consumption, and optimal environmental sustainability.
…said Harald Tillung, Business Development Manager, Wärtsilä Marine.
At the moment, the vessels are under construction at the Royal Bodewes shipyard, Netherlands and they are scheduled for delivery in mid-2021.
In light of the situation, Wärtsilä has established a detailed study in collaboration with Aasen Shipping, in order to determine whether hybrid power would be useful in this application, while taken into consideration a broad range of relevant factors.
The study found that the extra initial investment required for the battery installation would be more than offset by the high level of achievable fuel cost savings.
The investment for the hybrid installation is also supported by Enova SF, a Norwegian government enterprise that promotes environmentally-friendly energy solutions.
Overall, Wärtsilä recently received the 2020 SMART4SEA Cyber Security Award, sponsored by ABS, at a prestigious award ceremony which successfully concluded on January the 28th at the Yacht Club of Greece in Athens.
