Finnish technology group Wartsila is carrying out the first conversion of a South American offshore support vessel (OSV) to hybrid propulsion.
The company is working with Brazilian owner Grupo CBO on fitting a battery pack on the 4,750-dwt platform supply vessel (PSV) CBO Flamengo (built 2012).
The vessel will run more efficiently by operating with fewer engines at a higher load, Wartsila said.
The hybrid system will provide redundancy power and reduce intermittent load increases, saving fuel and reducing exhaust emission levels, the company added.
"CBO is always interested in new technologies and innovation is in our DNA," said CBO technical and commercial director Marcelo Martins.
"We seek less fossil fuel consumption and this, aligned with our environmental and social governance initiatives, makes the decision to install batteries in our vessels a natural path."
Martins also pledged to take further steps towards decarbonisation in the near future.
Delivery of the Wartsila equipment is scheduled for April 2021.
Installation and integration of the equipment will be handled by CBO.
Electronic brain
Wartsila's system combines engines, an energy storage system and power electronics, optimised by a "highly sophisticated" energy management system (EMS).
The EMS functions as the "brain" of the hybrid system, controlling energy flows between the different power sources.
CBO has been operating OSVs since 1978.
Shareholders include private equity funds Patria Investimentos and Vinci Partners.
The company has a fleet of 32 vessels, including PSVs and anchor-handling tug supply vessels.
