Smaller vessels focus on lowering emissions


Arie de Jager a.d.jager@marin.nl


In support of small businesses aiming to achieve zero emissions, MARIN was recently involved in two studies for the smaller vessel segment.


The first was an inland container vessel, a combination of a ship and a barge, which is operated by Danser Container Line from Sliedrecht in the Netherlands. Measurements were conducted on board for months in order to obtain the mission profile of the twin- screw vessel, which sails regularly from the port of Rotterdam and Antwerp to Basel (Switzerland), upstream and downstream the river Rhine.


In order to reduce emissions, electric propeller drives were considered in combination with methanol- driven generator sets. Although an electric driven propeller requires additional power compared to diesel-direct drives (less so if the mission profile is more variable), it offers the advantage of being able to switch the electric power supply type in a somewhat uncertain future. Potential savings resulting from the hydrodynamics were studied as well. Ultimately, the emissions reduction for the chosen configuration could only be achieved by hydrodynamic improvements made to the hull and appendages. Other fuels can provide further improvements in the future.


The second case was a small passenger vessel for Schlepp und Fährgesellschaft Kiel mbH, Germany. This vessel was designed and constructed by Holland Shipyards in Hardinxveld-Giessendam. It is a twin-screw vessel with electrically driven propellers. Diesel generator sets deliver the power and feed a number of batteries as well. In the harbour this vessel can sail completely on batteries - a first step towards zero emissions.


However, also in this case, savings are possible by improved hydrodynamics. Complaints about the wave pattern were the reason MARIN was asked to look for a solution. And already the design of a new bulb led to a much smoother wave pattern. Holland Shipyards removed the existing bulb and fitted a new one according to MARIN’s design. Full-scale trials demonstrated a significant reduction in the required power.


Both cases show that small businesses are moving towards zero emissions, but that an optimised hull must always remain the starting point in order to keep the power demand as low as possible.


Replacing the existing bulb (top) by a new one (bottom) resulted in a significant reduction in required power.


Layout consequences of the proposed engine room configuration report 23


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28