Sign up
Log in Sign up
Thu 11 Aug 2011, 07:50 GMT

Shipyard delivers first hybrid turbocharged bulker


New turbocharger is said to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line) has taken delivery of a bulk carrier which is claimed to be the first commercial ship to be fitted with a hybrid turbocharger.

The 180,000 deadweight tonne (dwt) bulk carrier, Shin Koho, was built at the Universal Shipbuilding Corporation’s Tsu Shipyard. Its hybrid turbocharger was jointly developed by NYK Line, the Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI), the Universal Shipbuilding Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

In addition to the turbocharger’s normal function of a waste heat recovery system that utilizes exhaust gas to boost the output power of the engine by enabling it to aspirate at a higher level, the hybrid turbocharger uses the extra rotational power generated by the turbine to generate electrical power.

According to NYK Line, the vessel is capable of meeting all its onboard electric power requirements during normal sea-going operations by using the turbocharger instead of diesel generators. At the same time the turbocharger is also said to enable reductions in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The hybrid turbocharger development project is subsidized through Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's 'Support for technology development for curtailing CO2 from marine vessels' project (announced on May 29, 2009), and is also supported by ClassNK through a joint research scheme.

Previously, MHI developed and successfully commercialized the waste heat recovery system MERS (Mitsubishi Energy Recovery System), which enables a 10 percent reduction in fuel costs by generating electric power through combination of an exhaust-gas-driven turbine and a steam turbine, for vessels requiring large electric power, such as container carriers and crude oil carriers.

NYK Line's environmental policy this year saw the company selected for inclusion in the Silver Class of excellent companies by SAM Group Holding AG (SAM), which assesses socially responsible investment. Every year, SAM rates companies that conduct 'superior corporate social responsibility activities' and places the top companies in one of three classes: gold, silver, and bronze.

The 292-metre long, 45-metre wide newbuild Shin Koho will be used to transport iron ore from Australia and other countries.

Hapag-Lloyd and DSV logo side by side. Hapag-Lloyd and DSV sign 18,000-tonne CO2e reduction agreement for sustainable marine fuels  

Two-year framework allows inclusion of alternative fuels beyond biofuels in shipping decarbonisation partnership.
Bangkok city skyline. Uni-Fuels opens Thailand office as part of Southeast Asia expansion  

Marine fuel supplier establishes Bangkok entity, appoints managing director with 15 years’ industry experience.
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.




 Recommended