The Norwegian shipping and tank terminal company Odfjell is upgrading the propulsion system for 19 vessels with new technology to optimise energy efficiency.
The vessels will be equipped with new energy-efficient Kappel propeller blades, rudder-bulb and will undergo technical upgrades of the main engine, turbo chargers and shaft generator. These combined upgrades will reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 20%.
The initial model tests, which were carried out at Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute (Marintek ), indicated a reduction in fuel consumption of about 15% for the Odfjellour series of eleven 37 000 deadweight (dwt) vessels (Kvaerner class). Sea trials before and after the upgrade show an overall efficiency gain of more than 20%. With such excellent result the company will also upgrade additional eight 40 000 dwt vessels (Poland class).
The concept has been developed by Odfjell, in close cooperation with MAN Diesel & Turbo, Grenaa Motorfabrik and ABB AS Turbocharging.
