HYUNDAI Merchant Marine (HMM) recently converted its 8,600TEU container vessel, Hyundai Brave, into an eco-friendly vessel. This ‘green renovation’ is a first in Korea and only the second occurrence of such a transformation in the world.
One feature of the conversion related to what is known as the bulbous bow: this protrudes at the front of a ship just below the waterline, and Hyundai Brave’s new bow is now clearly dolphin shaped.
HMM also lowered the new extension by 1.5m compared to the previous bow profile, and reduced the overall girth. The purpose of the alteration is to improve fuel efficiency. Hyundai Brave’s original bow was configured to achieve a high-speed standard of 27 knots, but the converted vessel is designed to run at the lower speed of 18 knots.
Through the conversion, it is anticipated that 3 percent savings will be made – a reduction of 1,040 tons of fuel. (representing a saving of 0.6 million USD). Korea’s first ‘green conversion’ was a joint project with HMM’s partners, DNV (Det Norske Veritas) Norway’s classification, risk-management and counseling organization, and DSEC. (Daewoo Ship Engineering Company, a subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering).
HMM is converting 3 more 8,600TEU container vessels, and the project should be completed in the first half of 2013.
Press Release, April 11, 2013