WE Tech Equips World’s First Dual-fuel Handysize Bulker

The world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fueled handysize bulk carrier, M/V Haaga, was delivered from Chinese shipbuilder from Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing to Finnish shipowner ESL Shipping, in August.

The first-of-its-kind vessel features innovative solutions from Finnish hybrid solutions company WE Tech, including Economical Operations and Boost Mode with the direct drive permanent magnet shaft generator, that help minimize energy consumption and emissions to reduce the ship's environmental footprint.

The Economical Operations, also known as Power Take Out (PTO) mode, enable propulsion machinery to operate in combinator/variable speed while the direct drive permanent magnet shaft generator produces electrical power up to 700kW for the vessel’s electrical network. Significant savings can be achieved by drastically decreasing the operating hours of auxiliary generators, as well as reducing the need for maintenance, WE Tech explained.

In the Boost Mode, WE Drive converts auxiliary generator power to propulsion power by employing the Direct Drive Permanent Magnet Shaft Generator as an electrical motor. It can provide boost power of up to 1,250 kW directly to the propeller shaft to boost the Main Engine in demanding conditions, such as high bollard pull or sailing in icy condition. This solution is utilized as an Ice-Boost mode for M/V Haaga—the ice-class 1A ship when it sailing in ice. Taken the Boost Mode solution into account during the ship’s design phase, the total operation cost of a vessel can be much reduced compared with traditional propulsion machinery design. This is because the Main Engine size can be optimized to the propulsion power needed under normal conditions. Additional power boost is taken from the Auxiliary Generators as required. This solution enables Boost Mode for any vessel type by running the WE Drive in Power Take In (PTI) mode.

“Our goal is to take our customers’ vessels to the next level in terms of maximized energy efficiency and minimized fuel consumption,” said Mårten Storbacka, Managing Director of WE Tech Solutions. “In order to optimally decrease the environmental footprint of the vessels and improve the efficiency of vessels’ operations, WE Tech’s PTI and PTO mode enables flexible and efficient operation of propulsion and power generation at sea as well as extra power for icy conditions.”

“We aim to achieve the best levels of energy efficiency in our segment with WE Tech’s technical supports and cooperation. We are committed to greener technology for the future,” said Mikki Koskinen, Managing Director of ESL Shipping, “WE Tech’s energy efficiency solutions bring a significant positive effect on the vessel’s operation and environmental footprint, which considerably improves our profitability and competitiveness.”