SMM Hamburg Day 2 – All About Efficiency

Lots of announcements in Hamburg this week during SMM.  Here’s the latest, in no particular order:

New Engine for Rolls-Royce:

For the first time in 10 years, Rolls-Royce is rolling out an entirely new line of 4-stroke medium speed engines.  The B33.45 is an IMO tier II and tier III compliant engine (while using an SCR system) engine that features a modular design and higher power density that its predecessors due to 20% greater power per cylinder as compared to the B32:40.  At the same time, Rolls-Royce notes that this engine will also have reduced fuel consumption as well from 184 g/kWh to 175.

The first engine is planned to be delivered in Q2 2015 to Norway’s Prestfjord Seafood, an owner of commercial fishing vessels.

Thor Humerfelt – Programme Director and Bergen Engines commented in a presentation yesterday that the overhaul maintenance schedule of this engine is 20,000 hours or every 5 years, which overlaps with required class surveys.

Rolls-Royce notes however they have a double-digit list of companies who are in serious discussions for this new engine. In 2017, the first LNG version of this engine, a V20, will be rolled out of the factory for use in a power station.

In other marine engineering news, ZF Marine announced the introduction of two new transmissions, the ZF 3300 PTI and the ZF W 10000.

Designed to be powered through standard diesel engine input, or via alternate power source through a Power Take In (PTI), ZF Marine notes the the ZF 3300 brings a hybrid-ready solution suitable for all types of high speed pleasure and commercial applications up to 1940 kW (2600 hp).

ZF notes that enhancements to this transmission include upgraded shifting and engagement technology that provides nearly instantaneous gear engagement, while increasing on board comfort with reduced feel of the actual engagement itself.

More specifically for the offshore and tug sector, the ZF W 10000 is rated to 2610kW (3500hp) @ 2100rpm and is available with ratios from 2.0:1 up to 7.9:1. The transmission can be ordered in reversing, non-reversing and hybrid-ready (PTI) versions.

USA-based Caterpillar Marine also announced a new engine this week, one focused on higher efficiency for offshore and coastal cargo vessels.  The MaK M 25 E features a 5 percent power increase over its predecessor, the M 25 C and optimizations that can help to save up to 40 tons of fuel a year when operating vessels at variable engine speed.

Developed to be compatible with both traditional and modern mechanical systems as well as electric propulsion systems, the M 25 E will be available in 6, 8 and 9 cylinder configurations offering ratings between 2,100 kW and 3,150 kW at 720 and 750 rpm, according to CAT.

“The M 25 E has a very high torque to speed ratio allowing operators to run their CP propellers at a reduced propeller shaft speed, significantly increasing the propulsive efficiency and lowering fuel consumption,” Jonas Nyberg Caterpillar Propulsion sales manager noted. “The improved load response also makes them the ideal engines for any demanding transient operations such as Dynamic Positioning.”

CAT also announced an award from Assessoria Transporte Aquaviaro to supply a total of 28 dual-fuel generator sets for 7 aluminum-hull fast ferries including 14 x Cat 3512 generator sets and 14 x Cat 9 generator sets providing prime and auxiliary power.  These ferries are being built to support the 2016 Olympics in Rio and will be powered by compressed natural gas (CNG).

Efficiency continued to be a major theme yesterday in all the presentations and conversations.  DNV GL’s EVP Albrecht Grell noted in a presentation that the collection, processing and analysis of ship data has been a major focus for his company via a new program called ECO Insight.  In particular, this system collections operational data from their customers, overlaps that data with more data from weather sources, fuel quality and AIS and then processes it to provide benchmarking for shipowners who wish to see how well their ships are performing within their own fleet, as well as compared to other vessel types and the world market.

DNV GL notes that 80 ships worldwide are currently participating in a pilot program including bulk carriers, tankers, OSVs, containerships, MPVs and RoRos.

For Tor Svensen, CEO of DNV GL Maritime, the management and use of “big data” such as this is one of his priorities for the future, as well as reducing injuries from major accidents, improved capacity and flexibility in maritime operations and lastly environmental sustainability and cost.

One year out from their merger with GL, Svensen notes that the seamless joining of the two organizations will be virtually complete in 2015.

Lots more stuff to talk about, but I gotta roll.

Email me at [email protected] if you have something to share for tomorrow’s update!