Shaft generator underneath set up on Berge Toubkal in dry dock. [Image: © Wärtsilä Corporation]
Wärtsilä has efficiently retrofitted an inline shaft generator system on the Berge Toubkal, a 2017-built, 210,000 dwt cape-size bulk provider owned by Singapore-based Berge Bulk. This is the marine {industry}’s first-ever shaft generator retrofit, and its profitable completion will enhance the vessel’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) ranking whereas lowering its total carbon footprint.
Shaft generator systems onboard ships are pushed by the principle engine to produce energy to the mains, thus saving gasoline and emissions. They are sized to remove the necessity to function auxiliary engines whereas at sea. While such methods, additionally known as Power Take-Off (PTO) methods, are immediately’s commonplace installations on newbuild vessels, massive inline variations with the generator sitting immediately on the propeller shaft and turning at 50 to 100 rpm have by no means earlier than been retrofitted.
“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,” says Paolo Tonon, Berge Bulk’s technical director, “Wärtsilä has a proven track record and is one of the market leaders in shaft generator systems and electrical integration.”
“Berge Bulk is one of the front runners in shipping’s transition to decarbonized operations, and we are proud to support them in this. Wärtsilä is actively working on the development of new technologies that can be integrated into existing vessel systems to make their operations cleaner and more economical,” says Torsten Büssow, director for ship electrification at Wärtsilä.
The retrofitted shaft generator can even present energy to an air lubrication system that was put in on the similar time. The system features a Wärtsilä management system, in addition to a converter to permit the generator to function over a broad span of rpm. The present intermediate shaft and bearings have been changed to accommodate the elevated weight.
Wärtsilä has efficiently delivered greater than 650 shaft generator methods and has over 50 years of expertise on this discipline.
The Berge Toubkal retrofit was accomplished in fourth quarter 2022, following ten months of preparation
