CBO selects Wärtsilä for first Latin America PSV hybrid retrofit

The Wärtsilä Hybrid Solution to be installed complies with the DNV-GL’s ‘Battery Power’ class notation, allowing the ship’s engines to run more efficiently by operating safely with fewer engines at a higher load. The hybrid system will provide redundancy power and reduce intermittent load increases (peak shaving), thereby saving fuel and reducing exhaust emission levels. Furthermore, because the engines will operate for fewer running hours, maintenance requirements and costs will be reduced.

The scope includes the power conversion, project services, the hybrid solution delivery, and commissioning. Delivery of the Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for April 2021.

The installation and integration of the equipment will be handled by CBO.

“CBO is always interested in new technologies and innovation is in our DNA. We seek less fossil fuel consumption and this, aligned with our ESG (environmental and social governance) initiatives, makes the decision to install batteries in our vessels a natural path. CBO will offer more efficient operation to our clients, and this will be the first step of more to come. Wärtsilä is a leader in innovation and has extensive know-how in hybrid battery systems for ships, so we are pleased to join forces with Wärtsilä to implement new technologies into CBO’s fleet,” says Marcelo Martins, Technical and Commercial Director at CBO.

By combining its competences in marine electrical, automation and engine technologies, Wärtsilä offers a single integrated hybrid power module that combines engines, an energy storage system, and power electronics optimised by a unique and highly sophisticated energy management system (EMS).

The EMS functions as the ‘brain’ in the Wärtsilä Hybrid System. It optimises the energy flows between the different power sources, storage, and consumers to achieve the highest efficiency possible.

While the CBO Flamengo will be the first PSV in Latin America to undergo a hybrid retrofit, Wärtsilä completed the first hybrid retrofit of a PSV in North America for Harvey Gulf in early 2020.