Owner aims to make PSVs ‘more attractive’ with battery-hybrid refit

Other OSV owners, such as Norway-based Eidesvik Offshore and US-based Tidewater Marine, have opted to upgrade their vessels with battery-hybrid solutions to save fuel, reduce their carbon footprint and entice charterers who are focused on reducing CO₂ emissions from their offshore operations.

Atlantic Offshore’s Ocean Star and Ocean Art, both based on Wärtsilä VS 485 MkIII designs, will each be fitted with 746-kWh battery hybrid systems. Each 90.4-m platform supply vessel is equipped with Wärtsilä engines and Wärtsilä low loss concept electrical systems, which reduces electrical losses and delivers higher individual engine loads to provide better fuel efficiency.

“Wärtsilä’s Smart Marine approach, with its focus on greater efficiencies and better environmental performance, is an important background to this upgrading project for these two vessels,” said Atlantic Offshore chief executive Roy Wareberg. “In addition to saving fuel and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the hybrid package will make the vessels more attractive to potential charterers,” added Mr Wareberg. “Atlantic Offshore is committed to promoting sustainability throughout our operations and having the Ocean Star and Ocean Art converted to hybrid propulsion is fully in line with this commitment.”

Wärtsilä will carry out the testing and sea trials for the systems following installation at Fitjar Shipyard on the west coast of Norway, with completion in early 2020.