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Trio to test power system with solid oxide fuel cells for deep-sea shipping 

Alma Clean Power, Odfjell and DNV announced the system will be installed on a chemical tanker by 2024, aiming to demonstrate the potential for significantly lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

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Alma Clean Power, Odfjell and DNV on Friday (29 September) said a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system will be installed on a chemical tanker by the end of 2024, aiming to demonstrate the potential for significantly lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions for deep-sea shipping.

The trip said fuel cells demonstrate a promising potential for scalable use for longer distances and larger energy needs in shipping as the maritime industry faces major challenges adjusting to zero emissions over the next decades. 

“It is therefore vital to start gathering practical onboard experience with fuel cells, without compromising on safety,” they said in a joint statement. 

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are fuel flexible, and can convert fuels like ammonia, LNG, methanol and hydrogen to electricity with a potentially higher energy efficiency than internal combustion engines. With a maritime solid oxide fuel cells solution, shipping companies will be able to reduce emissions short term and operate emission-free once alternative fuels become available.

The project partners intend to place an 80KW natural gas fuelled solid oxide fuel cell container on board one of Odfjell’s chemical tankers, to demonstrate SOFC as an efficient energy converter for deep-sea shipping. In January 2023, Alma Clean Power was awarded DNV’s Approval in Principle (AiP) for their design of a 1MW ammonia fuelled SOFC system.

Alma Clean Power and Odfjell have a long-term collaboration in joint development projects and are excited to start the marine demonstrator project together with DNV.

Bernt Skeie, CEO of Alma Clean Power, said: “We are very excited about this collaboration with Odfjell and DNV. Odfjell, for continued support through years of development and recognizing this project as a great opportunity for innovation and testing on board their vessel, and DNV for bringing in the broad expertise of a classification society, applying their rule framework and ensuring a thorough risk-based approach to the design, construction, installation and operation onboard the vessel.”

Harald Fotland, CEO of Odfjell, said: “We’ve been working structured and actively with energy-efficiency technologies and decarbonization for more than a decade, and this project represents another progressive step in energy efficiency-, fuel flexibility and zero emissions capability innovations. We look forward to continuing the collaboration with DNV and Alma Clean Power, and to document the impact this technology can deliver in our common quest to decarbonize deep-sea shipping.”

Tuva Flagstad-Andersen, DNV Regional Manager Maritime – North Europe, said: "This is an exciting project for DNV to be part of with two very forward-leaning partners. Identifying a suitable risk level and applying DNV’s existing rule framework will be key to managing the risks of the installation. At the same time, the project provides an ample opportunity to learn from the practical application to further improve our rules and guidelines and use this input to facilitate constructive dialogues with the applicable Flag Authorities.” 

Photo credit: Alma Clean Power
Published: 2 October, 2023

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Newbuilding

SeaTech Solutions and partners to develop India’s first electric tug E-VOLT 50

Other partners involved are India’s GRSE, Shift Clean Energy and ABS; GRSE will build an electric tug based on the E-VOLT 50 design by Singapore-based SeaTech Solutions.

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SeaTech Solutions and partners to develop India’s first electric tug E-VOLT 50

Singapore-based marine engineering and vessel design specialist SeaTech Solutions International (S) Pte Ltd on Tuesday (28 November) on Tuesday (28 November) said it inked Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, Shift Clean Energy and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) on 22 November.

The collaboration aims to bring to fruition the country’s first Electric Tug E-VOLT 50, an initiative to decarbonise India’s tugboat industry by curbing carbon emissions, enhancing operational efficiency, and establishing new benchmarks for performance and environmental sustainability.

GRSE India will build an electric tug based on the E-VOLT 50 design by SeaTech Solutions International (S) Pte Ltd. 

Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, said: “We are excited to be part of this groundbreaking collaboration that combines the expertise of GRSE and three industry-leading organisations. 

“E-VOLT 50 is a bold step towards a cleaner and greener future for the maritime sector. By utilizing sustainable energy solutions and cutting-edge technology, we aim to redefine the standards of

performance, efficiency, and environmental stewardship.”

Prabjot Chopra, VP Technology at SeaTech Solutions, said, “We are delighted to work with GRSE, Shift Energy and ABS on this E-VOLT 50, India’s first Electric Tug, which will pave the way for India’s Green port operation.”

“As the collaborative efforts of GRSE, SeaTech Solutions, Shift Energy, and ABS take shape, the Electric Tugs E-VOLT 50 project stands as a testament to India's commitment to fostering a sustainable maritime industry that aligns with global environmental goals,” SeaTech Solutions added.

“This initiative reflects a pivotal moment in the evolution of green shipbuilding, marking a significant stride towards a cleaner, greener, and more efficient future for the maritime sector.”

Photo credit: SeaTech Solutions International
Published: 30 November, 2023

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Newbuilding

Wärtsilä signs agreement for first zero-emission high speed ferries in US

Group has signed a strategic partnership agreement to provide its Fleet Electrification and Systems Integrator Services for a project to build the first zero-emission high speed ferries in the United States.

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Wärtsilä signs agreement for first zero-emission high speed ferries in US

Technology group Wärtsilä on Tuesday (28 November) said it has signed a strategic partnership agreement to provide its Fleet Electrification and Systems Integrator Services for a project to build the first zero-emission high speed ferries in the United States.

The fully electric vessels will be built for San Francisco’s Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), the operator of the San Francisco Bay Ferry system.

The project, and several others Wärtsilä will work on under this partnership, are a part of the agency’s Rapid Electric Emission-Free (REEF) Ferry Program, a phased decarbonisation of high-speed, high-capacity ferry service in the San Francisco Bay. 

Wärtsilä will work within the WETA project team to finalise vessel and charging system concepts.

“We’re proud to operate the cleanest high-speed ferry fleet in the nation, but a zero-emission future for our system is within reach,” said WETA Executive Director, Seamus Murphy. 

“Wärtsilä’s expertise and experience will be incredibly valuable given the complexity our ferry decarbonisation program entails.”

“This is a major project within the maritime sector’s journey towards decarbonisation, and we are proud to be a part of it,” said Hanno Schoonman, Director of sales for AMER region, Wärtsilä Marine Power. 

“Wärtsilä joins an industry leading team tasked to develop newbuild battery electric vessels that combine innovative technology and sustainable practices. Wärtsilä is well qualified to provide this project support, and this agreement is a clear endorsement of our strong track record in systems integration and emission-free propulsion.”

After completing the conceptual phase, WETA will move on to the initial construction phase of a multi-vessel programme. This phase will involve the building of three smaller ferries with a capacity of approximately 150 passengers each and two larger ferries capable of carrying at least 300 passengers. 

Additionally, the scope of this phase will encompass the inclusion of battery charging floats. The construction of the first electric-powered vessel is slated to commence before the conclusion of 2023, with commercial operations expected to launch in 2025.

Photo credit: Wärtsilä 
Published: 29 November, 2023

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Engine

Wärtsilä explains steps taken by Seaspan Ferries to slash 90% less carbon intensity

Wärtsilä explains three measures that helped Canadian ferry operator Seaspan Ferries slash the well-to-wake carbon intensity of one of its vessels by a colossal 90%.

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Wärtsilä explains steps taken by Seaspan Ferries to slash 90% less carbon intensity

Technology group Wärtsilä Corporation on Thursday (23 November) explained the three measures that helped Canadian ferry operator Seaspan Ferries slash the well-to-wake carbon intensity of one of its vessels by a colossal 90%:

Seaspan Ferries Corporation’s cargo vessels provide a vital link between the Canadian cities around Vancouver and neighbouring Vancouver Island. As part of its commitment to reducing air emissions and preserving the pristine local environment, Seaspan Ferries upgraded the engine control software and operational profile of its hybrid ferries Reliant and Swift, slashing the well-to-wake carbon intensity of the vessels by a colossal 90%. 

Seaspan Ferries Corporation (SFC) operates around the clock, seven days a week, and is by far the largest RoRo cargo carrier to and from Vancouver Island. The company has already gone a long way to reduce the environmental impact of its operations – for example, by adopting electrified port equipment and shore power systems as well as through its support for local environmental initiatives. In its latest move to reduce the carbon intensity of its vessels, SFC made three changes to its hybrid ferries Reliant and Swift to make the vessels even more environmentally friendly.

1 – Installing a greenhouse gas reduction package 

The vessels’ engines have been upgraded with the Wärtsilä 34DF greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction upgrade. “This simple and cost-effective control software upgrade can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of any vessel powered by Wärtsilä 34DF engines,” explains Mark Keneford, General Manager, Sales, Canada, Wärtsilä. The upgrade reduces unburned methane emissions – known as methane slip – by reducing the charge air pressure and air-fuel ratio at key load points. The GHG reduction package also included engine low load optimisation, which further reduces methane slip by disabling some of the engine cylinders at low loads and allowing others to take higher loads.

2 – Switching to renewable fuel 

The Reliant and Swift are both powered by two Wärtsilä 34DF engines, a medium-speed 4-stroke marine engine with fully fuel-flexible operation. The Wärtsilä 34DF engines onboard the Reliant and Swift can run on LNG, MDO or biofuels. Seaspan took advantage of this fuel flexibility by switching to 100% biodiesel for the pilot fuel and renewable LNG for the main fuel when it is available. This switch dramatically reduced the vessel’s carbon footprint in the process.

3 – Upgrading the battery 

SFC upgraded the vessels’ onboard battery capability to reduce engine operating hours. The upgrade made it possible to switch from running two engines at low load, which increases methane slip, to running one engine at a higher load, which further minimises methane slip and other emissions.

Impressive results with a real impact

These three steps reduced the well-to-wake carbon intensity of the Reliant by an impressive 90%. The University of British Columbia confirmed the reduction in a published paper. “We’re really happy with these results,” says Harly Penner, Vice President, SFC. “The improvements fit with our vision of reducing the carbon footprint of our operations while continuing to improve the quality and efficiency of our services for customers in British Columbia.”

Wärtsilä and SFC are continuing to collaborate on solutions to further reduce the GHG impacts of the vessels’ operations. Recently, the Wärtsilä SmartDock autonomous docking system was commissioned onboard the Reliant and Swift to increase safety and improve operational efficiency. These vessel upgrades are all part of Seaspan’s strategy. Naturally, Wärtsilä will be on hand to offer support and expertise as Seaspan continues its decarbonisation journey

Photo credit: Seaspan
Published: 28 November, 2023

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