Berge Bulk, which is leading the way in cutting fleet emissions, has become the first operator to retrofit an inline shaft generator to a capesize bulker.
Technology group Wartsila fitted the power take-off system to the 211,100-dwt Berge Toubkal (built 2017) while it was in dry dock, to improve its Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index.
The retrofitted shaft generator will provide power to an air lubrication system installed at the same time, both cutting the vessel’s carbon footprint.
Shaft generator systems are driven by the main engine to supply power to the mains, saving fuel and emissions and eliminating the need to operate auxiliary engines while at sea.
Although they are standard installations on newbuilding, large inline versions with the generator sitting directly on the propeller shaft and turning at 50 to 100 revolutions per minute have never before been retrofitted, said Wartsila.
“Berge Bulk made an industry commitment to go carbon neutral well before the IMO’s plan, and we are installing now the latest fuel-saving technologies, like shaft generators, air lubrication or wind propulsion on our vessels,” said the Singapore-based operator’s technical director, Paolo Tonon.
Torsten Bussow, director for ship electrification at Wartsila, said it is developing technologies that can be integrated into existing ship systems to make their operations cleaner and more economical.
Wartsila has delivered more than 650 shaft generator systems over 50 years.
