Elogrid by Wärtsilä

Elogrid™ by Wärtsilä

Elogrid™ by Wärtsilä is a solution for a vessel's tunnel thrusters (also called transverse thrusters). It is optimised and customised to add thrust force and save fuel in transit mode.

Elogrid™ by Wärtsilä – unique solution for tunnel thrusters

Elogrid by Wärtsilä is a solution for a vessel's tunnel thrusters (also called transverse thrusters). It is optimised and customised to add thrust force and save fuel in transit mode.

The solution includes:

Wärtsilä transverse / tunnel thruster
Customised Elogrid steel grid for the tunnel
Installation instructions for the shipyard
CFD-based optimisation of the solution customised for the vessel.

How does Elogrid by Wärtsilä work?

At the core of this solution are the Wärtsilä tunnel thruster and the customised steel grid installed to the end of the thruster’s tunnel.

The customised grid solves the big problem associated with a conventional grid. Like any grid, it will save fuel in transit mode, but the ship will not suffer a loss of thrust force. On the contrary, this special grid will increase the thrust!

Elogrid by Wärtsilä will save fuel when the ship is in transit mode and improve its maneuvering and position-keeping capabilities because the grid is customised. Customisation takes into account the following:

Inlet flow to propeller
Compact waterjet on the pressure side of the propeller
The grid's flow resistance in transit mode
The structural stiffness of the grid
The shape of the ship’s hull
Thruster’s properties
The operational profile of the vessel.

Customisation takes advantage of advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics tools and decades of experience to identify and specify the optimal solution for your ship. That is why Elogrid by Wärtsilä can deliver such amazing benefits.

The solution saves you fuel because the customised grid reduces the vessel’s sailing resistance.
Because the vessel uses less fuel, its GHG emissions are lower. This can bring further savings, thanks to lower taxes or penalties.
The customised grid can improve thrust performance instead of decreasing it like conventional grids do.
The solution optimises the inflow for the propeller, which can reduce the propeller torque fluctuation significantly.
As a result, the solution reduces vibration and noise, which improves passenger comfort.

3D illustrations of vessel types that can benefit from Elogrid

Who can benefit from Elogrid by Wärtsilä?

Any vessel with large tunnel thrusters (transverse thrusters) can benefit from the Elogrid by Wärtsilä solution, and it can be implemented in newbuild ships and as a retrofit. Because the greatest savings incur during transit mode, the following types of vessels can achieve fastest payback time:

Cruise ships
RoPax vessels
Ferries
Offshore vessels
Container vessels.

Operational efficiency and better CII

The Elogrid by Wärtsilä solution can bring significant OPEX savings. It will also improve the Carbon Intensity Index (CII) of the vessel. Therefore, it is a great choice for ship owners who seek to achieve the best energy efficiency and vessel performance – and are willing to invest in it.

Case: Viking Gabriella

A proven example is M/S Gabriella, a RoPax ferry operated by Viking Line. She has sailed with Elogrid technology to validate its performance. Full-scale tests confirmed the following results:

More than 1% fuel saved per tunnel. This value is based on the known reduction of the fuel bill.
Side thrust improved by 10%. This has been validated in a real-life bollard pull test.
Around 25% lower levels of vibration.
Noise level reduced by 2dB(A), measured on deck 7 of the vessel.

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Elogrid™ by Wärtsilä will reduce emissions

Because the Elogrid by Wärtsilä saves fuel in transit mode, it is also one way to cut harmful emissions. You will find 50 more ways in a fascinating eBook “51 great ways the maritime industry could cut its greenhouse gas emissions”. Learn more:

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Frequently asked questions about Elogrid

What is Elogrid and what problem does it solve?

Elogrid is a customised steel grid for tunnel thrusters that reduces fuel consumption during transit while improving thruster performance.

Unlike conventional grids, which typically reduce thrust when installed, Elogrid is designed to lower hull resistance in sailing mode without sacrificing – and in many cases improving – transverse thrust performance. The grid is optimised for each vessel using CFD analysis and operational data.

How does Elogrid improve fuel efficiency during transit?

Elogrid improves fuel efficiency by reducing the hydrodynamic resistance created by open thruster tunnels when the vessel is sailing.

The customised grid streamlines the water flow at the tunnel opening, lowering resistance in transit mode. Because the vessel requires less propulsion power to maintain speed, fuel consumption – and associated emissions – are reduced.

Does Elogrid affect thruster performance or manoeuvrability?

Yes – Elogrid has a positive effect on thruster performance and manoeuvrability.

Conventional tunnel grids typically introduce a trade‑off between reduced resistance and lower thrust. Elogrid avoids this compromise by optimising inflow to the propeller and improving flow conditions inside the tunnel, which can increase side thrust and support better manoeuvring and position‑keeping.

Which vessel types benefit most from Elogrid?

Elogrid is most beneficial for vessels that spend a significant share of time in transit at moderate or higher speeds.

These operational profiles allow fuel savings to accumulate quickly, resulting in a faster payback. Typical vessel types include cruise ships, ferries and RoPax vessels, offshore vessels, container ships, as well as larger merchant vessels such as bulkers and tankers.

Can Elogrid be installed on existing vessels?

Yes – Elogrid is available both for newbuilds and as a retrofit for existing vessels.

For newbuild and retrofit projects, Elogrid by Wärtsilä is supplied under a licence agreement between Wärtsilä and Elomatic, with vessel specific optimisation carried out as part of the delivery.

How are the benefits of Elogrid verified?

The performance of Elogrid has been validated through extensive CFD analyses and full‑scale operational testing.

Computational studies by Elomatic and Wärtsilä, supported by third‑party validation from Bureau Veritas, show consistent results. Full‑scale tests on operating ferries have confirmed clear reductions in fuel consumption, increased side thrust, and reductions in vibration and noise.

How can I evaluate whether Elogrid could improve fuel economy on my vessel?

Wärtsilä can assess the potential benefits of Elogrid for a specific vessel based on a preliminary technical and operational analysis.

This initial evaluation reviews the vessel’s characteristics and operating profile to estimate fuel‑saving potential and performance improvements, after which Wärtsilä can propose a tailored Elogrid solution.

If you want to understand what impact Elogrid could have on your vessel, you can contact Wärtsilä to discuss a vessel‑specific evaluation.

Why choose this solution from Wärtsilä

The unique combination is thanks to the cooperation between Elomatic and Wärtsilä and the synergy between the ElogridTM solution and Wärtsilä’s thruster expertise.

The patented design has gone through extensive testing, with results – fuel consumption, increased side thrust, and reductions in vibration and noise – validated through third‑party verification by Bureau Veritas.

What this means for your vessel

Elogrid is a vessel‑specific solution, and its impact depends on how your ship is designed and operated. If you want to understand whether Elogrid could improve fuel efficiency and thruster performance on your vessel, Wärtsilä can assess the potential and outline the expected benefits based on your operational profile.

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