Sign up
Log in Sign up
Mon 19 Mar 2012, 16:34 GMT

First 'true hybrid system' for Viking Lady


LNG-fuelled ship to reduce its emissions further with hybrid energy system.

The Viking Lady [pictured] has already proved to be a groundbreaking vessel. The three-year-old LNG-fuelled offshore supply ship, which is owned by Eidesvik Offshore, was the very first merchant ship to use a fuel cell as part of its propulsion system.

The fuel cell, which generates an electric output of 330 kW, was installed in the autumn of 2009 and has successfully run for more than 18,500 hours. Based on this, the Viking Lady is already one of the world’s most environmentally-friendly ships.

Now another step is to be taken to reduce its emissions even further. Once the battery pack is in place, the ship will operate using a hybrid system similar to that which has been installed in hybrid cars for a number of years. However, the potential emission reductions are higher and the return on investment period is shorter for ships than it is for cars.

DNV is heading the research project, which is called FellowSHIP. Its partners are Eidesvik Offshore, the owner of the ship and Wärtsilä, power solutions provider for the marine market. In this, the next project phase, an energy storage capability is to be introduced to the energy system. This will allow the benefits of a so-called 'true hybrid energy system' to be explored.

The primary potential benefits of the hybrid energy system for a ship like the Viking Lady are a 20/30% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions through smoother and more efficient operation of the engines and fuel cell. The reductions of other exhaust components are said to be even higher.

Washington State Hybrid-Electric 160-Auto Ferry vessel render. Corvus Energy to supply battery systems for Washington State Ferries hybrid vessels  

ABB selects Corvus for two new 160-vehicle ferries as part of $3.98bn electrification plan.
Vinssen and Mana Engineering sign MoU. Vinssen, Mana Engineering partner on hydrogen fuel cell retrofit for 800-teu feeder vessel  

South Korean and Dutch firms to pursue Lloyd’s Register approval for hybrid retrofit concept.
Hercules Elisabeth vessel. Hercules Tanker Management takes delivery of second Ultra-Spec vessel in China  

Hercules Elisabeth is the second of 10 hybrid-ready tankers designed for alternative fuels.
Wolf 1 vessel. Petrol Ofisi launches fuel supply tanker Wolf 1  

Turkish bunker supplier adds 1,750-dwt vessel with alternative fuel infrastructure to fleet.
BIMCO meeting. BIMCO to convene for adoption of biofuel clause and ETS provisions at February meeting  

Documentary Committee to consider new contractual frameworks for alternative fuels and emission trading scheme compliance.
Sea Change II vessel render. Incat Crowther and Switch Maritime develop 150-passenger hydrogen ferry for New York  

Design work begins on 28-metre vessel with 720 kg hydrogen capacity and 25-knot speed.
Aerial view of a container vessel. HIF Global signs heads of agreement with German eFuel One for 100,000 tonnes of e-methanol annually  

Deal covers supply from HIF’s Uruguay project, with e-methanol meeting EU RED III standards.
Welcoming of Kota Odyssey at Jordan’s Aqaba Container Terminal. PIL’s LNG-powered vessel makes maiden call at Jordan’s Aqaba port  

Kota Odyssey is Pacific International Lines’ first LNG-fuelled ship to call at the Red Sea port.
Celsius vessel. RMK Marine to equip Celsius LNG bunker vessel with gas combustion unit  

Turkish shipbuilder adds specialised equipment to support cool-down and gassing-up operations for LNG vessels.
CSL and CMA CGM contract signing. Cochin Shipyard signs contract with CMA CGM for six LNG-fuelled container vessels  

Indian shipbuilder to construct vessels for French shipping company.




 Recommended