ØSTENSJØ REDERI OPTS FOR OFFSHORE CONSTRUCTION VESSEL HYBRID RETROFIT

Østensjø Rederi opted to retrofit a Wärtsilä Hybrid Upgrade solution to give the 95-metre long vessels a more attractive environmental profile for potential charterers. The order was booked in Q3 2020.

The upgrading project will allow less use of the ships’ engines with correspondingly lower levels of exhaust emissions while operating in dynamic positioning (DP) mode. The Wärtsilä Hybrid Upgrade solution will include a new electronic DC bus-link, which allows a vessel to operate in DP 2 and 3 modes with a closed DC bus in hybrid, and an open bus on the AC system.

The reduced running of the engines saves fuel and lessens the carbon footprint. Furthermore, maintenance requirements and costs will also be reduced. Emissions reductions will also be achieved in other operational modes.

“We intend to be a shipping company that leads in sustainable operations. Today’s carbon footprint is to be reduced through systematic efforts and continued technical development at all levels. This is why we have chosen to upgrade these vessels to hybrid propulsion, which is an area of technology where Wärtsilä excels,” says Egil Arne Skare, Chief Project Officer, Østensjø Rederi.

“The Wärtsilä Hybrid Upgrade solution aligns with our five strategic themes; Towards Zero Emissions, Efficiency, Safety, Reliability, and Fuel Flexibility. There is a growing trend in the marine sector towards hybrid propulsion, with more and more companies taking advantage of the benefits it offers,” says Helge Solberg, Senior Proposal Engineer, Wärtsilä Marine Power.

Delivery of the Wärtsilä equipment to both vessels is planned for January 2021.

Funding from Enova, the Norwegian government enterprise that promotes the environmentally friendly production and consumption of energy, has been an important contribution to this project.