Wärtsilä will supply an integrated hybrid propulsion system for a bulk carrier vessel being built at the Royal Bodewes shipyard in the Netherlands for Norwegian shipowner Aasen Shipping. It is the latest in a series of six vessels to operate with a similar Wärtsilä scope of supply.
To meet decarbonization targets, Aasen Shipping says it has turned to the latest technologies to cut emissions, reduce fuel costs and minimize carbon costs. In combination with the Wärtsilä 25 engine, the hybrid propulsion system is expected to optimize operations, save fuel and enhance environmental sustainability for the six new bulk carriers.
Torbjørn Torkelsen, the CEO of Aasen Shipping, said, “The support from Wärtsilä and the performance efficiency of their equipment with the earlier ships in this series have strongly contributed to our dedication to operating efficient and cleaner cargo transportation. In addition, Wärtsilä’s 25 main engine is designed to be futureproof, meaning we can switch to sustainable fuels as they become available, further supporting our ambitions for long-term environmental sustainability.”
The 9500 DWT bulk carrier vessel will operate with one six-cylinder Wärtsilä 25 main engine fitted with a Wärtsilä NOX Reducer, a Wärtsilä gearbox and controllable-pitch propeller with shaft line, and a Wärtsilä ProTouch remote propulsion control system. The hybrid system includes a DC hub and 620kWh battery capacity, as well as the control system and battery, power and energy management systems.
The Wärtsilä 25 engine is a medium-speed four-stroke marine engine designed for easy upgrades to operate on future low- or zero-carbon fuels. It is available in six-liter to nine-liter configurations with a power output of 1.7-3.4MW, and is suitable as a main or auxiliary engine.
“The need to decarbonize shipping is driving the industry toward increasingly flexible, electrified and hybridized solutions, with sustainable fuel readiness also being built into new-build solutions today,” commented Roger Holm, the president of Wärtsilä Marine and executive vice president at Wärtsilä Corporation. “Our hybrid propulsion systems are designed to allow vessels to run efficiently across various operating modes, adapting seamlessly to changing conditions. This flexibility contributes to improved fuel efficiency and enhances overall performance.”
The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard during the first half of 2027.
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