International Seaways expects to reduce fuel consumption by 5% by retrofitting four ageing MR tankers.
Finnish technology group Wartsila said the US shipowner will install propulsion solutions on the 47,800-dwt Seaways Galle, Seaways Gatun, Seaways Hercules and Seaways Huron (all built 2007).
Wartsila will supply EnergoFlow and EnergoProFin kits to upgrade the vessels’ controllable pitch propeller systems.
These will be the first ice-class 1A ships to be fitted with EnergoFlow, which creates an optimal in-flow for the propeller.
EnergoProFin caps have fins that rotate together with the propeller, reducing the energy loss created by the propeller hub vortex.
The work has been contracted following a detailed engineering study to optimise existing propulsion systems, Wartsila said.
International Seaways director of new construction & propulsion Michael LaGrassa said: “Our company is committed to reducing its CO2 emissions in line with the IMO’s targets.”
Retrofitting is planned to coincide with each vessel’s dry-dock schedule, starting this summer.
Jan Othman, vice president of project services at Wartsila Marine, said: “As a company dedicated to supporting the marine industry’s decarbonisation efforts, we are delighted to cooperate with International Seaways in improving the fuel efficiency of these four vessels.
“The Wartsila systems selected will not only meet and exceed the minimum required CII [Carbon Intensity Indicator] rating and IMO targets, but will also improve the ships’ asset-resell market value.”
International Seaways has indicated that it is too busy making money from older MR tankers to sell them just yet, however.
In May, the shipowner pointed to rates of $38,000 per day earned by its overall MR fleet in the first quarter, and the $38,100 booked so far this quarter.
Chief commercial officer Derek Solon said: “When the MRs are coming in at $38,000 per day for the quarter … at the moment, with the freight market like this, no, we’re not seeing too much discrimination on age.”
