WÄRTSILÄ has completed what it said was the maritime “industry’s first-ever shaft generator retrofit”.
Wärtsilä retrofitted an inline shaft generator on Berge Toubkal, a cape-size bulk carrier owned by Singapore-based Berge Bulk.
The company expects the retrofit to improve the ship’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index and reduce overall carbon footprint.
Berge Bulk technical director Paolo Tonon described Wärtsilä as a market leader in shaft generator systems and electrical integration.
“Berge Bulk made an industry commitment to go carbon neutral well before the IMO’s plan, and we are installing now the latest fuel-saving technologies, like shaft generators, air lubrication, or wind propulsion on our vessels,” he said.
Torsten Büssow, director for ship electrification at Wärtsilä, said the company is developing new technologies that can be integrated into existing vessel systems to make operations cleaner and more economical.
“Berge Bulk is one of the front runners in shipping’s transition to decarbonised operations, and we are proud to support them in this.”
Wärtsilä said shaft generator systems on ships are driven by the main engine to supply power to the mains, saving fuel and emissions. They are sized to eliminate the need to operate auxiliary engines while at sea.
The Berge Toubkal retrofit was finished in the fourth quarter of 2022, following ten months of preparation time.
