PORT OF GOTHENBURG OLD WORKHORSE GOES ELECTRIC

The Port of Gothenburg’s inspection vessel, MS Hamnen, is to be converted to electrical power, the port says

The 20.3m x 5.7m vessel, which consumes about 25,000 litres of diesel a year during its 1,300 or so hours of operation, will be fitted with a completely new electric engine with an output of 250kW.

A 4-5 tonne bank of batteries will also be installed, which can be added to if necessary, as well as a new wheelhouse.

EST-Floattech will deliver its Octopus High Energy Battery System, tailored to the space available on the MS Hamnen and the energy requirements.

Shipyard Ö-VARVET has designed a battery compartment in collaboration with METS for the EST-Floattech modules. The battery system provides flexibility, and there is space reserved for an additional battery pack if the shipowner is looking to expand the battery capacity in the future.

The batteries will provide enough power for the vessel to sail for at least four hours at 6 knots, and will also provide energy for the vessel’s hotel load and the bow thruster.

“In exceptional cases, special call-outs, unforeseen events or extreme weather conditions may require additional range, so we’re also installing an auxiliary diesel engine that runs on HVO,” said David Falk, MS Hamnen skipper and project manager of the electrification. “The vessel’s task is to be available in all contexts 24/7, so we need that flexibility. But the goal is to run on battery power for 90% of the time.”

The vessel has been operating at the port since 1979, and Falk says she is still in very good condition.

“By converting it rather than replacing it, we further reduce emissions, as the vessel will then not be taken into use by a new owner,” he said.

She will be refitted at the Ö-varvet shipyard on the island of Öckerö in the Gothenburg archipelago during the spring, at an estimated cost of SEK 17.3 million (€1.5 million).

MS Hamnen should have four hours’ range on battery power at six knots. A charger will be installed at the vessel’s regular berth at the port, which should be sufficient for regular assignment need.

MS Hamnen will return to service in the autumn, and until then inspections will be carried out with a smaller replacement boat.

OXE Marine claims world firsts with new outboards

Outboard manufacturer OXE Marine launched two outboards for commercial marine at the recent Miami boat show.

The OXE300 outboard has been equipped with water jet propulsion, which OXE is calling a ‘game changer’ and was nominated for an innovations award at the show.

Sweden-based OXE has developed the technology with the US-based Jet-Tech, and they claim it is the world’s first and most powerful outboard with water jet propulsion and axial flow.

“The engine is one of the world’s most powerful outboards with water jet propulsion on and has been made possible due to OXE’s proprietary power transmission system that can handle very high torques,” says OXE. “Thanks to OXE Marine’s unique belt transmission system, all torque generated by the diesel engine is transferred to the water jet drive itself without loss of power.”

“The commercial launch of the world’s first and most powerful diesel outboard with water jet propulsion and the highest efficiency of all water jet engines represents a game-changer”, said Douglas Natoce, President at OXE Marine. “Others are not able to transfer such high torques to the lower part of the rig, but we do it thanks to our belt drive which, in combination with a water jet drive, can handle even higher loads.”

OXE claimed another world first at the boat show with its 450 concept engine, which it has equipped with a 400 volt electric motor connected to a lithium-ion battery.

The Hybrid 450 ’combines the best of both worlds, the energy efficiency of diesel operation with the electric motor’s steep torque curve and the possibility of a completely emission-free operation’.

OXE says the Hybrid 450 the first hybrid diesel outboard in the higher power classes.