Technology group Wärtsilä has been contracted to deliver the ship design for a new processing and transportation vessel to be built at the Balenciaga shipyard in Spain on behalf of Hav Line AS of Norway – one that will showcase ground-breaking sustainability gains for the fish farming industry.

 

In addition to the design, Wärtsilä will supply an integrated solution comprising a 10-cylinder Wärtsilä 31 mainengine, auxiliary engines, propulsion machinery, the propulsion remote control system, and the electrical and automation system. The delivery of the Wärtsilä solutions will be during autumn 2017 and the vessel is scheduled for delivery in summer 2018.

 

A ‘world first’ for fish farming

 

Notable environmental gains are made possible by a Wärtsilä hybrid propulsion solution supported by batteries, which results in very low emission levels. This is the world's first processing and transportation vessel for the fish farming industry to utilise this solution. By absorbing most of the engine's load fluctuations and vessel load variations through batteries, the engines can be operated close to its optimum design point, thereby providing the highest level of efficiency, which in turn minimises the exhaust emissions.

 

The Wärtsilä design is tailor made to the customer's specifications. During the development phase of the project, Wärtsilä acted as the owner's consultant to ensure an environmentally sound and functionally effective solution. The vessel's hybrid propulsion machinery has the PTI/PTO (power take-in/ power take-off) powered by batteries, and is combined with the very fuel-efficient Wärtsilä 31 main engine. The environmentally sustainable hybrid battery configuration is new for this type of vessel.

 

Greater efficiencies, reduced environmental impacts

 

“The fish farming industry, like other marine industry sectors, is seeking better ship designs and greater efficiencies that reduce overall operating costs and lessen the environmental impact. Wärtsilä is proud to have been selected for this project that introduces the world's first hybrid propulsion system for this kind of vessel,” said Riku-Pekka Hägg, Vice President, Wärtsilä Ship Design.

 

“We very much appreciate Wärtsilä's support in designing a vessel that meets our operational and environmental requirements,” said Jon Hinder, Chairman of the board, Hav Line Gruppen AS.

  

Following its introduction in 2015, the Wärtsilä 31 was recognised the world's most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine by Guinness World Records. The main features of the Wärtsilä 31 engine are its exceptionally low fuel consumption and minimal maintenance requirements. For this engine the main service is required only after 32,000 running hours, whereas alternative standard marine engines require maintenance after 24,000 running hours. This level of propulsion efficiency, combined with the Wärtsilä design, invariably results in notable operational cost savings.