Copenhagen-based transport and logistics company, DFDS, has selected Elomatic to develop and deliver its Elogrid solution to the cruise ferry ‘Crown Seaways’.
The aim is to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. ‘Crown Seaways’ is a ropax, which currently operates on the Copenhagen/Oslo route.
DFDS will manage Elogrid’s installation during the ropaxes annual drydocking at Fayard, which takes place in January, 2024.
In addition, an Elomatic specialist will supervise the operation on-site to ensure top-quality work and the smooth assembly of the complex structure.
The Elogrid tunnel thruster, which can be retrofitted onto a wide variety of vessels, reduces the additional resistance and, as a result, ships’ fuel consumption. The system will also help DFDS enhance the performance of its thrusters, resulting in better manoeuvrability.
In addition, the retrofit will also reduce noise and vibrations throughout the vessel, meaning a better overall experience for passengers, a smoother journey, and an increased lifespan for on board equipment, Elomatic claimed.
Elogrid emphasises how design expertise and resources are essential to tackling the de-carbonisation challenge. In general, the solution makes an immediate impact on vessels’ Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) with fuel savings of up to 4%, depending on the vessel design and speed. This also means a reduction in CO2 emissions.
Fitting tunnel thrusters with Elogrids typically repays itself within six to 18 months, the company claimed.
This partnership represents a major milestone in Elomatic’s strategic development. The Finnish engineering company is expanding its business by designing solutions that increase environmental and human wellbeing, whilst also improving the competitiveness of its customers, it added.
“Our Elogrid solution significantly reduces water resistance and fuel consumption from ships, and demonstrates how even a small piece of equipment, developed using advanced modelling, can deliver a valuable impact on GHG emissions.
“It is an honour to have been chosen by DFDS to support them on their energy efficiency and de-carbonisation initiatives, and we are confident that our partnership will continue to flourish in the near future,” said Guido Schulte, Elomatic’s Marine & Offshore Energy’s Sales Director.
“We are committed to reducing our impact on the climate. In the short term, improving our existing fleet and making it pollute less and be more efficient is a focus area – even at smaller scales.
“To this end the Elogrid solution supports the efficiency of ‘Crown Seaways’ and will reduce fuel consumption with around 1% and hence support our green transition journey,” added Moshe Poulsen, DFDS Superintendent and the person responsible for the vessel and the drydocking.
The contract involves the design, manufacturing, and installation supervision of four grids for two tunnels on the ‘Crown Seaways’.
This includes project management, concept design, performance analysis, basic design for authority approvals, when necessary, detailed design for manufacturing and assembling the Elogrids, procurement, overseeing the manufacturing process, co-ordinating the delivery of the equipment, and finally, providing on-site installation supervision.
