Technology group Wärtsilä and logistics provider CLdN have jointly developed a hybrid design for two new ro-ro vessels. The propulsion arrangement is such that the ships can operate as gas/diesel-mechanical vessels now, or in the future as gas/diesel-electric vessels. The vessels are being built at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Korea.
The Wärtsilä hybrid system includes energy storage systems, two large PTO/PTI generators and electric motors, multidrive converters and the Wärtsilä energy management system that controls and optimizes the hybrid operations. The solution will enable the ships’ CO2 emissions to be minimized, thereby supporting the marine sector’s decarbonization ambitions. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in June 2022.
“Our aim is to be flexible with regard to future technological developments, which is why we have worked on the development of these new vessels with Wärtsilä, a company with a proven track record in developing advanced hybrid technology for the marine industry,” said Gary Walker, COO of shipping at CLdN.
“Decarbonization is a central issue for shipping today, which means that vessel designs need drastic rethinking. It’s not always clear, however, what these changes should involve, so we at Wärtsilä have for some time now been recommending that built-in flexibility in the propulsion train should be a priority. Together with CLdN, with these vessels we are showcasing what is today both possible and meaningful,” said Torsten Büssow, director of ship electrification solutions at Wärtsilä.
The two 234m-long vessels will each feature 8,000 lane meters of cargo space. They are part of CLdN’s fleet renewal program aimed at drastically reducing emissions. The ships are scheduled to be delivered in Q4 2024 and Q1 2025, and will operate on CLdN’s European network.