Wärtsilä to upgrade Østensjø Rederi vessel duo with hybrid tech

The Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has been selected to retrofit two offshore construction vessels owned by Norwegian operator Østensjø Rederi with a hybrid upgrade solution.

Wärtsilä said on Monday that the upgrading project would allow less use of the ships’ engines with correspondingly lower levels of exhaust emissions while operating in dynamic positioning (DP) mode, and would also lower emission levels in all other operational modes.

The company added that the order was placed in the third quarter of 2020. The two vessels in question are the Edda Fauna and Edda Flora built-in 2008. Delivery of the Wärtsilä equipment to both vessels is planned for January 2021.

The customer opted for the Wärtsilä hybrid upgrade solution to give the ships a more attractive environmental profile for potential charterers.

The solution will include the company’s new electronic DC bus-link, which allows a vessel to operate in DP 2 and 3 modes with a closed DC bus in hybrid, and an open bus on the AC system.

According to the Wärtsilä, the reduced running of the engines saves fuel and lessens the carbon footprint, while engine maintenance requirements are also alleviated.

Egil Arne Skare, chief project officer at Østensjø Rederi, said: “We intend to be a shipping company that leads in sustainable operations. Today’s carbon footprint is to be reduced through systematic efforts and continued technical development at all levels. This is why we have chosen to upgrade these vessels to hybrid propulsion, which is an area of technology where Wärtsilä excels”.

Helge Solberg, senior proposal engineer at Wärtsilä Marine Power, added: “The Wärtsilä hybrid upgrade solution aligns with our five strategic themes – towards zero emissions, efficiency, safety, reliability, and fuel flexibility. There is a growing trend in the marine sector towards hybrid propulsion, with more and more companies taking advantage of the benefits it offers”.