Wärtsilä, a provider of smart technologies for the shipping sector, has delivered the first vessel fitted with its HY hybrid power module solution to the Port of Luleå, Sweden.
The escort tug “Vilja”, according to statement, was built at Gondan Shipbuilders in Asturias, Spain, before arriving in Sweden at the end of June 2019.
It is said that Wärtsilä HY, which has been “specially developed to meet the specific needs of the tug market”, is the first hybrid power module in the marine industry.
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With features such as “green mode” – enabling zero emissions and no noise – and what is described as a “power boost” for higher bollard pull than any other solution, the technology is expected to drive a new, environmentally friendly era in shipping.
In addition to these features, which have been successfully tested and demonstrated, Wärtsilä HY’s Energy Management System (EMS) has been tuned with actual data acquired during one year of field operations.
This system is designed to handle drastic changes in operating conditions, which is important for Luleå as the vessel will alternate between normal summer time operations and working in one metre thick ice during winter.
Wartsila has said the solution will significantly enhance the ship’s environmental performance by cutting emissions, fuel consumption and noise… @wartsilacorp #PTIDaily #LNG #Shipping #Environmenthttps://t.co/vBN0fy4tO1
— Port Technology (PTI) (@PortTechnology) February 8, 2019
Giulio Tirelli, Director, Sales & Business Intelligence at Wärtsilä Marine, commented: “This vessel is the most powerful tug operating with hybrid propulsion and it can be considered as creating a benchmark in the new era of modern shipping.
“The implementation of the Wärtsilä HY and the process followed for reaching this milestone, represents a practical application of Wärtsilä’s Data Driven Design principles, and it effectively transforms our Smart Marine vision into practice.”
Henrik Vuorinen, CEO of Luleå Hamn AB, added: “The ‘Vilja’ represents the most technologically advanced tug currently in operation. The selection of the Wärtsilä hybrid power module will ensure a drastic reduction in emissions, setting new, higher, standards for our service, and for the quality of life in the Luleå region.”
“Our deep cooperation with Wärtsilä will also ensure additional potential achievements during the vessel’s lifecycle.”
