Wärtsilä key to Vitol efficiency gains

The vessels, Elandra Sea and Elandra Star, owned by global energy company Vitol, and managed by Latvian operator LSC Group, had tailored Wärtsilä EnergoFlow and EnergoProFin systems installed during summer 2022.

Studies have shown an average efficiency gain of 6%.

“Following the successful installation of Wärtsilä products on the Elandra Sea and Elandra Star, we are pleased that two long range product tankers – the Elandra Bay and Elandra Sound – have recently left dry-dock, equipped with Wärtsilä energy efficiency products,” said Ian Butler, head of Energy Transition – Shipping, Vitol.

“The joint analysis of the data on the Elandra Sea and Elanda Star from last year’s installation is extremely encouraging and we will be installing future devices in 2024.”

EnergoFlow is a pre-swirl stator that creates an optimal inflow for the propeller, reducing fuel consumption and emissions in all operating conditions.

The EnergoProFin is an energy saving propeller cap with fins that rotate together with the propeller. It reduces the energy losses created by the propeller hub vortex, increasing overall propulsion efficiency and significantly reducing underwater noise.

Vitol has ordered an additional three EnergoFlow systems and at least four more are being considered for next year, reports the company.