Electric shipping and hybrid ships are important solutions now that the marine industry has entered a new era – the age of decarbonisation and strict regulation. Vessels must be future proof: flexible enough to adapt to the changing needs in the future. As the regulation evolves and restrictions on emissions become stricter, the best way to stay competitive is to rely on the best available technologies. Electric shipping or ship electrification is one of the key solutions for marine decarbonisation.
The future of shipping is here: Discover how these interesting electrical solutions can reduce the environmental footprint for different vessels.
Electrical solutions will deliver reduced emissions as retrofits and offer a competitive advantage also for newbuild vessels.
Electrical solutions have been part of vessel design for many years in the form of diesel-electric propulsion or shaft generators, for example. The share of green energy – from renewable sources such as wind, water, and solar – in land-based electrical grids is on the increase.
It makes sense for ships to take advantage of shore-based green energy. As an example, using a shore connection can reduce emissions significantly while the ship is in port. Depending on the vessel and its operating profile there are many ways to reduce its emission footprint. The key is optimisation: finding the right solution for each vessel.
Slow steaming used to be the favourite solution for many vessels to reduce emissions. Flexibility was not an issue then, so this means that some vessels will never be fully optimised. Electrical systems onboard make it possible to use smarter propulsion systems. Smarter, more resilient, and more flexible – and thus capable of adapting to the changing needs in the future of shipping.
Deepsea vessels will have to adopt green fuel engine technology to decarbonise. Electrical systems will be an integral part of the system including shaft generators and shore connection. Electric cruise ships and electric cargo ships are a futuristic concept, but they can go hybrid and take advantage of solar energy to improve their efficiency.
Tugs can benefit from hybrid or even full electric solutions. They operate close to the shore to land based electrical infrastructure. Because they have high load variations and spend long periods of time on standby, hybrid electric solutions will cut their GHG emissions significantly.
Ferries are often part of local transportation routes and can easily use the land-based charging infrastructure. If the route is short enough, the ferry can even be fully electric. Many ferries still prefer to have a hybrid electric solution to minimise risks.
Any short-distance or coastal vessel can be a hybrid ship. They can charge their ship battery with green energy available at the port. They can be a zero emission ship while manoeuvring, station keeping, and port navigating if they switch to full electric power during those operations.
Which solution would be optimal for your vessels? The following are examples of actual solutions.
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The technology group Wärtsilä will supply its advanced thruster solution for a new hybrid tug being built to operate in the port of Xiamen in China. The Wärtsilä thrusters selected have been especially designed for electric propulsion, and support the sustainability requirements of the vessel. The tug is under construction for Xiamen Port Shipping at the Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding yard. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in June 2022 by Shanghai CSIC Marine Propulsion Equipment, the integrator for the newbuild project.
The project specifications emphasise emissions reduction and energy savings. The tug will operate with two Wärtsilä WST18FP-L steerable thrusters, providing optimal propulsion performance in line with the sustainability requirements.
“Decarbonisation is central to Wärtsilä’s design strategy, and the WST thrusters reflects the innovative development of our main propulsion systems supporting this strategy. We are also able to support the customer with local production, engineering and after sales in China which makes Wärtsilä a great choice for the full lifecycle of the tug boats. I am very pleased that Xiamen Port, Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding and Shanghai CSIC selected us as a partner for this industry’s future milestone project,” says Lauri Tiainen, Director Thrusters and Propulsion Control Systems.
The Wärtsilä WST18FP-L thrusters provide excellent thrust on bollard pull, and transit speed performance. They feature high hydrodynamic capabilities, less maintenance, easy installation, and better accessibility for servicing. The WST series has eight thruster types, ranging from 700 to 3300 kW, enabling vessels to meet and exceed the performance levels required in today’s competitive operating environment.
Xiamen port is an important deep water harbour in China’s Xiamen Fujian province. The 5000 HP tug is 38.3 metres long and is scheduled to enter operational service in 2023. The Wärtsilä equipment will be delivered in Q1 2023.
Media contact for more information on this release:
Simone Greene
Communications Manager
Wärtsilä Marine Power
Tel: +39 342 072 5119
simone.greene@wartsila.com
Image caption. The new hybrid tug will operate in Xiamen port will be powered by Wärtsilä thrusters which support the sustainability requirements of the vessel. © Fujian Chuanzheng Shipbuilding industry Co., Ltd
All Wärtsilä releases are available at https://www.wartsila.com/media/news-releases and at http://news.cision.com/wartsila-corporation where also the images can be downloaded.
Wärtsilä Marine Power in brief
Wärtsilä Marine Power leads the industry in its journey towards a decarbonised and sustainable future. Our broad portfolio of engines, propulsion systems, hybrid technology, and integrated powertrain systems delivers the efficiency, reliability, safety, and environmental performance needed to support our customers. Our offering includes performance-based agreements, lifecycle solutions, and an unrivalled global network of maritime expertise.
www.wartsila.com/marine
Wärtsilä in brief:
Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve their environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,000 professionals in more than 200 locations in 68 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2021, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 4.8 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com
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