Odfjell Presses On with Fuel-Saving Upgrades

Bergen-headquartered shipping and tank terminal company Odfjell SE has started with the process of upgrading the propulsion systems on 19 of its vessels expected to cut fuel consumption by up to 20%.

The vessels will be equipped with new energy efficient propeller blades, rudder-bulbs, and will undergo technical upgrades of the main engine, turbo chargers and shaft generators, expected to enable the ships to achieve the A+ rating on the Rightship energy rating.

The initial model tests, which were carried out at Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute (Marintek), indicated a reduction in fuel consumption of about 15% for the company’s series of eleven 37,000 deadweight (dwt) vessels (Kvaerner class).

In August, the 37,000 dwt oil/chemical tanker Bow Clipper was the first vessel to be upgraded during scheduled dry-docking.

Bow Clipper sea trials before and after the upgrade have shown an overall efficiency gain of more than 20%, according to Odfjell.

Following these results, the company has decided to also upgrade additional eight 40,000 dwt vessels (Poland class). All of the remaining 18 vessels are planned to be upgraded within 2017.

The concept has been developed by Odfjell, in cooperation with MAN Diesel & Turbo, but also Grenaa Motorfabrik and ABB AS Turbocharging. The upgrade includes Kappel propeller blades, fairing cone and rudder bulb, shaft generator gearbox and Odfjell determined settings.