Hapag-Lloyd drives fuel savings with part-load optimisation project  

Accelleron and HD Hyundai Marine Solution (HMS) have conducted engine part-load optimisation (EPLO) projects on two vessels owned by Hapag-Lloyd. 

14,000-TEU Basle Express and Essen Express had main engine tunings and turbocharger components modified for lower engine loads, with sea trials and subsequent operations showing fuel savings of more than 10g/kWh – equivalent to 5% of overall consumption in specific load ranges.

Accelleron and HMS’s EPLO product ensures that vessels operating at engine speeds lower than their original design, for example, to comply with energy efficiency regulations and to reduce carbon cost exposure, run as efficiently as possible. The two Hapag-Lloyd vessels had recently been retrofitted with hull and propeller enhancements to achieve the required speed using significantly less power.

Accelleron said that with EPLO and turbocharger cut-outs, the vessels can still deliver the required propulsion power when needed, while adding further fuel savings on top of those gained from their earlier retrofits.

The vessels were optimised after a technical evaluation, with commissioning completed four weeks after the initial orders were placed. Hapag-Lloyd will extend this project to optimise the remaining eight vessels in its Dortmund Express-class fleet.

Hapag-Lloyd director fleet innovation and projects, Dr Christoph Thiem said, “Enhancing our vessels’ efficiency is a key pillar of our energy efficiency and decarbonisation strategy. The measured fuel savings provide a clear competitive edge for our fleet.”

A statement said, “EPLO improves engine efficiency at the most relevant power range for each vessel, optimising turbocharger configuration and engine parameters to match today’s slower operational profiles. As pressure to improve vessel competitiveness grows and as regulatory frameworks such as FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System increasingly incentivise emissions reductions, EPLO has become an established upgrade solution for vessels operating at part engine loads.”