Bunker barge uses electric propulsion

A new bunker barge that has been built for Belgium bunkering operator Oilchart is the first barge of this type to be capable of operating under electric power. The result is that the barge can operate in harbour limits with reduced emissions, offering both considerable savings in fuel consumption as well as improving the environmental credentials of the vessel.

Called the MTS Martinique, this 1,700dwt barge has a novel machinery installation. When operating under diesel power alone the 470kW main engine is connected directly to the propeller shaft via a gear box in conventional fashion. In this mode the vessel can achieve a speed of 8.5 knots. Themain engine is a Mitsubishi S6R-MPTAAW diesel, which operates through a Masson type W3450 gearbox with a reduction ratio of 5:1.

Also installed in the engine compartment are two Mitsubishi gensets of 192kW each. Either of the generators can be used to supply power to a Baumuller electric motor that is clutch coupled to the propeller shaft so that the vessel can operate in diesel electric mode. The generators can be operated individually or in tandem and, with full power being fed to the electric motor, the speed in 6.5 knots.

In this hybrid mode the vessel burns just 43 litres of fuel per hour. The 85m long bunker barge has a beam of 9.60m and operates fully loaded at a draught of 3.20m. At this draught the vessel is carrying 1,000 tonnes of bunker fuel.

The extra electric power from the generators is used to power the auxiliary and domestic loads. These include a Verhaar 282kW bow thruster, two EPS cargo pumps and the 20m cargo boom.

This bunker barge has been designed to operate at the Schelde ports of Antwerp, Ghent and Flushing (Vlissingen). A spokesperson for Oilchart commented: “The system works by dividing the power and then uses it as and when it is required. As a result the fuel consumption is reduced dramatically with savings of approximately 30%. We will be using this new barge primarily for oil deliveries within the Port of Antwerp with the intention of using only the electric propulsion.”

The hull of the Martinique was built in Kladovo in Serbia with completion of the vessel at the Trico Shipyard in The Netherlands, which specialises in inland waterway craft. The hybrid technology for the vessel was developed by Severijn De Ridder of Oechies Elektrotechniek and it is anticipated that the technology pioneered in this new concept design could have application in small sea-going vessels and on inland waterway barges.