Norwegian shipowner says fuel bill cut by a third after retrofit

Lighthouse Ship Management has undertaken a retrofit project on one of its managed general cargo vessel coasters that the Norwegian shortsea shipping service provider said resulted in a 33% reduction in the vessel’s fuel costs.

Torangsvåg-based fleet manager Lighthouse, which manages a range of vessels for seven shipowners, made the propulsion retrofit on the Bio Feeder-owned 2,900-dwt Terneskjaer general cargo ship. 

The Berg Propulsion retrofit package focused on moving the 81-m, 2008-built vessel to a higher efficiency diesel-electric propulsion system. Berg took on the project, integrating a new gearbox and two permanent magnet motors with its MPC800 control technology. Berg also optimised the blades on the ship’s existing Berg propeller to reflect changed operational needs, adding a nozzle to improve thrust, particularly at lower speeds.

"Managed prudently, ships built and maintained to Terneskjaer’s quality can comfortably surpass lower carbon requirements and compete effectively for years to come," said Lighthouse Ship Management general manager Lasse Øpstad. "A 33% reduction in fuel costs is highly significant and points to a secure future for a ship which has proved itself as a reliable performer in Norway’s demanding coastal sector for over 15 years."

In securing lower nitrogen oxide emissions, the project was eligible to benefit from Norway’s NOx Fund, which allows owners tax breaks if they pay into a scheme to fund NOx-reduction measures.

“There were several objectives for the Terneskjaer project, including improved performance, greater operational flexibility, lower NOx, decarbonisation and increased lifetime,” said Berg Propulsion energy efficiency sales manager Magnus Thorén. “However, energy efficiency is critical in every respect."