Wärtsilä will supply an integrated hybrid propulsion solution for three new self-discharging cargo vessels being built at Royal Bodewes in the Netherlands for Norwegian shipowner Aasen Shipping. The engines and vessels are prepared for operation on sustainable fuels in the future.
As part of the solution, the ships will feature the latest addition to Wärtsilä’s engine portfolio, the Wärtsilä 25, which was launched in September 2022 as well as batteries. The ships can use electrical battery power when in harbour and for low-load operations, and then switch to the main engines for transit
The order was booked by Wärtsilä in September 2023.
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De-risking in the design phase
Wärtsilä delivered a similar hybrid propulsion solution to two earlier Aasen Shipping vessels, the Aasfoss and Aasfjell. These ships have successfully operated with the hybrid propulsion solution for almost two years, and this success has been cited as a prime consideration in the award of this new contract.
To cater to the increasing demand for hybrid integrated machinery solutions, Wärtsilä works closely with customers, such as Aasen Shipping, from the early stages of a newbuild project in order to firstly, optimise the performance and efficiency of the vessel, and then secondly, by “de-risking” the project at the design phase.
‘The Wärtsilä engines are made ready for us to switch later to sustainable fuels, which will allow us to significantly further reduce carbon emissions in line with our fleet decarbonisation aims,’ says Torbjørn Torkelsen, CEO – Aasen Shipping.
‘As we understand that becoming emission-free is the biggest challenge of our generation, our focus at Royal Bowedes is to build innovative, sustainable and cost-efficient vessels for the industry,’ comments Johan Tiemersma, project manager at Royal Bowedes. ‘We are proud to be working alongside Aasen Shipping and Wärtsilä to utilise technology and solutions which will ensure these new self-discharging cargo vessels are able to cut emissions and reduce fuel costs, whilst keeping carbon-costs to a minimum.’
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Wärtsilä equipment
The three 9500 DWT vessels will each operate with one six-cylinder Wärtsilä 25 main engine fitted with a Wärtsilä NOx reduction system, a Wärtsilä gearbox and controllable pitch propeller with shaft line, a Wärtsilä Pro-Touch bridge control system, the Hybrid system with DC hub and 620-kWh battery capacity, the control system, as well as the battery, power and energy management systems.
The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery to Royal Bodewes in December 2025 and in 2026.
Royal Bodewes shipbuilding projects
From dry cargo vessels to self-discharging cement carriers, and specials, like tankers and RoRo, Royal Bodewes has been building vessels since 1812. Royal Bodewes is currently building at three yards simultaneously in the north of the Netherlands. Among the current orders are highly efficient hybrid powered, methanol-ready self-dischargers.
Picture: The three new self-discharging cargo vessels (by Aasen Shipping).
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