Brazilian offshore support vessel operator CBO has recently signed a deal with Wärtsilä to convert the CBO Flamengo to hybrid propulsion, which will make it the first vessel in Latin America to be fitted with a battery pack for hybrid propulsion.
The solution to be installed on the Flamengo (a platform supply vessel) complies with the DNV-GL’s Battery Power class notation, and according to Wärtsilä will provide redundancy power and reduce intermittent load increases (peak shaving). This, it says, will reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emission levels. Furthermore, because the engines will operate for fewer running hours, maintenance requirements and costs will be reduced.
“CBO is always interested in new technologies, and innovation is in our DNA,” commented Marcelo Martins, technical and commercial director at CBO. “We seek less fossil fuel consumption and this, aligned with our ESG [environmental and social governance] initiatives, makes the decision to install batteries in our vessels a natural path. CBO will offer more efficient operation to our clients, and this will be the first step of more to come. Wärtsilä is a leader in innovation and has extensive know-how in hybrid battery systems for ships, so we are pleased to join forces with Wärtsilä to implement new technologies into CBO’s fleet.”
Delivery of the Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for April 2021. Installation and integration of the equipment will be handled by CBO.