Berg Propulsion has secured a second propulsion system retrofit contract with Norwegian shipowner Arriva Shipping after monitoring confirmed fuel savings of more than 10% on the general cargo vessel Norjarl.

The Swedish propulsion technology company upgraded the 5,335 gt Norjarl in January with its MPC800 control system and Dynamic Drive technology. According to Arriva, performance tracking over several months in the North Sea and Baltic Sea has verified overall fuel savings above 10%, prompting the owner to contract a second retrofit for the 4,183 gt general cargo carrier Norbris.

"The Norjarl project showed the impact introducing state-of-the-art control technology could have when an existing ship is designed and maintained to the highest standards," said Paul Helland, technical manager at Arriva Shipping. "After verifying the gains, we move forward with Norbris."

The Norjarl project aimed to optimize energy use at reduced operating speeds so the 2009-built vessel would retain its competitive position in shipping's low carbon era. The ship, installed with a MAN 6L32/40 engine, previously featured propulsion control from another supplier.

For the Norbris retrofit, the MPC800 control unit and Dynamic Drive will replace existing Berg Propulsion ERC2000 technology to work with the ship's MaK 6M32C engine. The 2002-built vessel will receive the same combination of Dynamic Drive and auxiliary generators that provided flexibility in engine speed control on Norjarl, according to Magnus Thorén, energy & efficiency sales manager at Berg Propulsion.

"We have installed control systems and the Dynamic Drive solution on board several Arriva newbuilds, and the owner has become a key Berg Propulsion customer in Norway," said Thorén. "The Norjarl retrofit involved close collaboration through installation and performance evaluation, so it is especially pleasing that the owner is confirming that the thinking behind the first project has been borne out by experience to drive a second."

Thorén said energy & efficiency projects helped owners extend the life of pre-2010 ships to compete at a time of volatile fuel costs, emissions trading, and carbon intensity ratings.

Eirik Lutnaes at Saga Marine, the business that represents Berg Propulsion in Norway, commented: "There are plenty of good quality ships out there with the potential to perform cost-effectively, competitively, and sustainably using modern control and drive technology. We are delighted to work with Berg Propulsion in support of Arriva's fleet renewal strategy."

Berg Propulsion, based in Hönö, Sweden, designs and manufactures controllable-pitch and fixed-pitch propellers, azimuth thrusters, and transverse thrusters, as well as vessel control and maneuvering systems. The company has production facilities in Sweden and direct sales and service offices in China, Singapore, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates.

Arriva Shipping, founded in 1972 and headquartered in Ølensvåg, Norway, operates a fleet of vessels primarily serving Northern Europe, transporting cargo including concrete and asphalt aggregates, coal, coke, minerals, gypsum, timber, salt, general cargo, and project cargoes.