The versatile Kamsarmax bulker,
currently a flexible and popular size chosen by many dry bulk operators, and
designed for worldwide trading will be fitted out with latest energy-saving
features as well as some entirely new ones developed by the partners. Fuel costs are likely to be cut by around
half, it is claimed.
The design will cost around $10
million more than a conventional Kamsarmax bulker today but the investment
should pay back within about five years based on average charter rates.
Kongsberg Maritime Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Oskar
Levander, revealed details of the innovative bulk carrier in Oslo yesterday.
The ‘Super-Efficient Bulker’ will be
equipped with three tiltable Norsepower rotor sails and two bound4blue suction
sails to harness the greatest benefits of wind energy, Levander explained.
Other features include air lubrication, a controllable pitch propeller, a
hybrid shaft generator with frequency control, and an intelligent energy
management system.
The bulker will have a wider beam
than conventional vessels of this size to optimise the impact of air bubbles
under the hull. Its design speed will be one knot less than similar ships today
to save fuel, emissions, and maintenance costs. “Shipowners face significant challenges in
meeting tighter regulations,” Levander declared. “While low carbon fuels are an option, many prefer to stick with
conventional fuels. Our goal was to design a vessel capable of complying
with predicted CII regulations throughout its lifetime, using advanced
energy-saving technologies.” Levander
revealed that the design could yield cumulative savings in operating costs of
EUR 37 million and fuel cost savings of 30-65% depending on trading routes and
ship operation.
In an analysis of performance on a
route between Rotterdam and Sept-Iles in Canada, for example, fuel consumption
could be reduced by about 40%, Levander said. Even greater savings could be
achieved by setting estimated times of departure and arrivals and the optimal
use of wind devices, he added.
“The project has been a real eye-opener,” said Levander. “The combination of
advanced technologies creates significant savings, making our new design a
game-changer. With a short payback
period of five years, this vessel represents a smart investment for shipowners
looing to reduce costs and meet future compliance targets.”