New e-bunker vessel concept introduced to address maritime renewable energy needs

In a bid to tackle carbon emissions in the maritime industry, Swedish company SeaFjord Energy has chosen Swiss-Swedish equipment provider ABB’s electric power and propulsion system for its ‘pioneering’ e-bunker vessel concept, which aims to offer ‘a new way of supplying energy’ to ships at sea and in ports.

Developed in collaboration with ship design company FKAB Marine Design and Bureau Veritas, a French company that specializes in testing, inspection and certification, the e-bunker vessel features ABB’s Dynafin propulsion and Onboard DC Grid power system platform that supports operational efficiency—‘crucial’ for optimizing energy on board.

The vessel concept will reportedly also possess a large battery pack, which is said to provide renewable energy where traditional shore power infrastructure is less accessible, such as fjords and offshore locations.

“ABB is excited to collaborate on this groundbreaking design. Our electric power and propulsion system enables maximal efficiency both for transmission and propulsion, which means that a larger part of the carried energy can be used by bunker customers,” said Marcus Högblom, Head of Passenger segment, ABB Marine & Ports.

The e-bunker vessel concept envisions a charging mechanism wherein the vessel could fill its batteries through a shore connection or draw energy directly from a wind farm. To do this, it would rely on ABB’s charging system. ABB’s technology would be used for charging other vessels at sea, with the e-bunker delivering up to 50 megawatts of power to ships of different sizes, from small to large.

To maximize propulsion efficiency and responsiveness in various operational scenarios, the vessel design relies on ABB Dynafin. ABB Dynafin propulsion’s combined motion of the wheel and blades is said to generate propulsion and steering forces simultaneously. It is projected that this would enable ‘significant’ operational efficiency and precision for ships, minimizing the energy required to power the vessels.

In addition, according to ABB, the propulsors should integrate well with ABB’s ‘modular and highly customizable’ Onboard DC Grid power system platform, which aims to further improve the vessel’s overall performance.

Lastly, the core of the vessel’s combined power and control is ABB’s PEMS, a power and energy management system. Its goal is to ensure optimal use of the vessel’s total power resources in a ‘safe, energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly manner.’ For the e-bunker concept, this solution is expected to optimize use and flow onboard, as well as toward the vessels bunkering from it.

Sharing his thoughts on Seafjord Energy’s e-bunker concept, Andreas Hagberg, Head of Sales and Marketing at FKAB Marine Design, said, “FKAB is glad and grateful to be part of this e-bunker design, and that we got the question from Seafjord Energy to take part from day one to develop their idea together. This project is the first-of-its-kind and perfectly in line with innovative projects that FKAB likes to take part in.”

“We are pleased to support the development of this innovative e-bunker vessel, advancing sustainable maritime solutions while maintaining high safety and environmental standards,” Herman Spilker, Vice President of North Europe Zone at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, added.

To remind, in July 2024, German cruise operator Phoenix Reisen chose ABB’s DC technology and shore connection in order to modernize its ship, MS Amera. The project required ABB to replace the ship’s AC system with DC technology, which, as per ABB, allowed for a ‘simple and cost-effective’ integration of energy sources in a lightweight setup.