Hybrid battery-powered PSV contract

The new 833 WE ICE vessel has been designed based on the most recent technology within fuel economy and to operate as efficiently as possible and with the least amount of influence from exposed Arctic waters.

Havyard says it will be designed according to the latest environmental demands such as Class Design class, while the design of the superstructure will make it easier to maintain an ice-free ship in Arctic areas.

The vessel will also be equipped with a hybrid battery-powered diesel-electric propulsion system “to make the ship as efficient as possible”.

“With hybrid battery power you can constantly operate diesel generators at an optimal level. When energy demands vary you can either charge or discharge batteries, depending on whether the energy demands are lower or higher than the capacity of diesel generators in operation,” said Arve Helsem Leine, design manager.

“Response time in relation to variation in power demands is also a lot shorter, so there is a quicker transfer of power to the ship`s thrusters which ensures a more precise and secure positioning, for example in operations by an offshore rig,” he added.

Havyard says the ship’s hull combined with the hybrid system, which has been developed in co-operation with Norwegian Electric Systems (NES), will ensure the PSV uses 30% to 40% less fuel compared to a traditional PSV.

This latest contract is the second Havyard has signed with the Icelandic offshore shipping company. The first was delivered earlier this month.