Atlantic Towing’s platform supply vessel Atlantic Shrike has been retrofitted with Vard Electro’s SeaQ energy storage system, enabling 11% fuel savings across all operations and substantial CO2 savings.
In 2021, Atlantic Towing initiated a plan to upgrade the diesel-electric Atlantic Shrike, aiming to meet the environmental requirements without compromising operational reliability.
Working in collaboration with Vard Electro, a subsidiary of the Fincantieri-owned Vard Group, Atlantic Towing implemented a comprehensive battery retrofit onboard the PSV that has ensured compliance with evolving emissions regulations, and delivered significant measurable improvements in fuel savings and operational efficiency.
Built in 2017, Atlantic Shrike measures 85.6m in length with a beam of 22m, and has a dead weight capacity of 4,200 metric tons. The vessel operates primarily on the Grand Banks, off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.
Operating in demanding offshore conditions, the Atlantic Shrike required a retrofit solution capable of enduring extreme conditions while enhancing energy efficiency. The goal was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut fuel consumption and improve onboard conditions, all without disrupting vessel availability.
Vard Electro delivered a complete retrofit package of the SeaQ ESS, purpose-built for seamless integration with the vessel’s existing power and automation systems. As both equipment supplier and system integrator, Vard Electro ensured the battery system was fully aligned with the vessel’s propulsion and control architecture.
The entire installation was carried out in close collaboration with the customer and aligned with Atlantic Shrike’s planned docking periods, minimizing operational impact. Vard Electro’s local service team in Canada led the project execution. To secure long-term results, SeaQ training was provided to the crew, ensuring they understood how to operate the system for maximum battery efficiency and system longevity.
“This project demonstrates how we, as a system integrator, bring together technical insight and operational understanding to create tailored retrofit solutions,” explained Francisco Lima, VP of retrofit and service at Vard Electro. “By designing a SeaQ ESS setup that matched Atlantic Shrike’s operational profile, we ensured real-world impact. Open and continuous communication with the customer was a key success factor from start to finish.”
Following the installation of the SeaQ energy storage system, Atlantic Shrike has delivered 11% fuel savings across all operations; 362 tons of CO2 reductions in 2024 (verified by operational data); reduced engine noise, improving crew comfort; and reduced engine running hours, extending maintenance intervals and enhancing working conditions in the engine room.
“The competence and collaboration shown by the Vard Electro team was impressive,” said Dan Vyselaar, director of engineering and asset management at Atlantic Towing. “They understood our operational needs and delivered a solution that works – both technically and commercially.”
In related news, Octillion Power Systems has expanded its existing partnership with Vision Marine Technologies to produce high-voltage lithium-ion battery packs for the latter’s marine propulsion systems at Octillion’s manufacturing facility in Reno, Nevada