EcoPeller retrofit cuts ferry’s energy consumption

At the end of 2020, Torghatten’s double-ended RoPax ferry was retrofitted with two electrically driven EcoPellers type SRE 340 L CP (750 kW each). Today, after more than a year and a half in operation, the company has demonstrated positive results.

Gunnar Heringbotn, Technical Manager at Torghatten Trafikkselskap: “We opted for the EcoPellers because we were convinced that they best met our requirements and would support us on our way to an eco-friendly future. Today we know this decision was exactly the right one: with the help of Schottel’s customised retrofit concept, we are saving up to 25%. As a result, we not only significantly reduce operating costs, but also emissions for the environment.”

The hydrodynamically optimised design of the EcoPeller produces maximum steering forces and high overall efficiency and course-keeping ability. This reduces fuel consumption and ensures lower operating costs and emissions.

SCHOTTEL LeaCon is a seal monitoring system certified by DNV. It offers safe and reliable protection against seawater contamination caused by operating materials. Separate seals to the seawater and to the gearbox side ensure that both seawater coming into the system and gear oil going out of the system are collected in an intermediate chamber. LeaCon is also used to monitor the condition of the seals, so operational wear can be detected at an early stage and unscheduled maintenance avoided.

The system complies with stringent environmental requirements, such as the VGP regulations set out by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, so there is no need to use environmentally acceptable lubricants.