First inline shaft generator retrofit completed on Berge Bulk vessel

The Berge Toubkal retrofit was completed in Q4 2022, following ten months of preparation time.

The successful installation of the large inline shaft generator system by Wärtsilä is the first in the marine sector. Shaft generator system, also referred to as Power Take-Off (PTO) systems, are standard installations on newbuild vessels but have not previously been retrofitted to existing vessels in the fleet.

The system includes a Wärtsilä control system, as well as a converter to allow the generator to operate over a broad span of rpm. The existing intermediate shaft and bearings were replaced to accommodate the increased weight of the generator sitting directly on the propeller shaft. The retrofitted shaft generator will also provide power to a Silverstream air lubrication system installed at the same time.

The installation will improve the vessel’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) while reducing overall carbon footprint. 

“Berge Bulk made an industry commitment to go carbon neutral well before the IMO’s plan, and we are installing now the latest fuel-saving technologies, like shaft generators, air lubrication, or wind propulsion on our vessels,” says Paolo Tonon, Berge Bulk’s Technical Director, “Wärtsilä has a proven track record and is one of the market leaders in shaft generator systems and electrical integration.”

“Berge Bulk is one of the front runners in shipping’s transition to decarbonised operations, and we are proud to support them in this. Wärtsilä is actively working on the development of new technologies that can be integrated into existing vessel systems to make their operations cleaner and more economical,” says Torsten Büssow, Director for Ship Electrification at Wärtsilä.

Wärtsilä has successfully delivered more than 650 shaft generator systems and has over 50 years of experience in this field.