Hybrid propulsion: a popular choice for CTVs

Going fully electric has several challenges, with developments in charging infrastructure, battery storage and chemistry needed. “With the constraints of today’s technology, especially when it comes to all-electric propulsion, we have to look at the operating profile and build vessels customised to suit,” says Mr Philip. 

“When building these vessels, we consider the number of passengers, schedules, speed, trip numbers and information on the power capacity required. We then engineer the vessel around the profile to deliver a ship optimised for its planned operations.”

Fuels and digitalisation

There has also been considerable interest in replacing diesel with alternative fuels to reduce emissions and the environmental impact of vessels, but this comes with challenges.

“For alternative fuels, the technology is not mature yet,” says Mr Philip. “Most engines can take biofuels with no need to retrofit. But the key issue is fuel availability.”

Until these fuels are readily available, owners can turn to digitalisation to optimise vessel and fleet operations to reduce their carbon footprint through data-driven changes to the way they operate the vessels, be it electric, hybrid or conventional.

Mr Philip thinks these technologies are more important for electric or hybrid vessels.

“Monitoring energy consumption is critical, especially on electric boats, with real-time feedback to the master and shore,” he explains. “It would be ideal to monitor rpm and speed to optimise vessel operations. There can be a big difference between going 18 knots and 21 knots, so we find a balance between reducing energy consumption and maintaining schedules.”

Singapore electric vessels

Penguin is constructing Singapore’s first all-electric seagoing vessel using its experience from operating battery-powered passenger ferries in Singapore for energy major Shell. These transport personnel from mainland Singapore to Bukom Island where Shell owns and operates a refining and petrochemical complex. Penguin not only built and operates these vessels, it also constructed and operates the shore-based infrastructure for charging them.

As Singapore’s Maritime & Port Authority is actively seeking consortia to build electric-powered harbour craft, it will need experienced builders, designers, owners and operators of charging stations. Penguin can manage most of this inhouse or through partnerships with technology experts and is in talks with various operators on all-electric solutions.

Hydrogen fuel-cell CTV gains approval

UK-based Green Marine plans to retrofit a crew transfer vessel (CTV) with hydrogen fuel cells and batteries to cut emissions; it has been granted approval in principle by RINA.

Phase 1 of Project Verdant, involving a preliminary design and feasibility study, has now been completed and deemed viable, opening the door to subsequent project phases seeking to execute design, engineering and sea trials.

This Innovate UK-funded project includes maritime consultancy Waves Group and European Marine Energy Centre. Project Verdant’s conceptual design incorporates hydrogen fuel cells connected to electric motors, working in conjunction with diesel-fuelled engines, which can be shut down to enable zero-emissions operation at slow speed while servicing offshore windfarms.

Hydrogen systems and marine fuel-cell generator company Energys helped design and provide engineering and modelling and Engineered Marine Systems supplied a design for the battery room. Findings show the hybrid system could reduce the vessel’s CO2 emissions by up to 30% and NOx emissions by up to 40%.

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