Page 76 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2023

MARINE TECHNOLOGY

The technology is or will be available in the relatively near future.
The critical challenge is to create a level playing field to offset the cost
of fuel and technology, which will be higher.

decarbonisation is not only about fuels. The most â Is electric propulsion a potential solu-
immediate thing that will happen is ships reducing tion for decarbonising oceangoing ves-
their speeds. But I think this is not a financially sels, or should it only be considered
viable solution in the long run, and the shipping for smaller-sized ships operating on
community will be looking at energy-saving solu- shorter routes;
tions. One key technology will be hybrid systems Let’s delve into electrical solutions. Firstly, we
- combining combustion engines with batteries. should discuss hybrid solutions combining com-
This solution can be applied in newbuildings and bustion engines and batteries. Such solutions are
second-hand vessels with retrofits to optimise fuel appropriate for newbuildings or retrofits and are
consumption. an option mainly for cruise ships but also mer-
Another ‘’avenue’’ is carbon-capture technology, chant vessels such as LNGCs, for example. But if
which requires the development of an entire carbon you look at solutions using only batteries, these
management system both onshore and offshore. fit exclusively on smaller vessels because battery
Our customers’ biggest challenge is deciding density with today’s technology is insufficient for
which ‘’avenue’’ to follow. It’s a strategic choice as bigger vessels. So fully-electric propulsion will be
vessel orders are a capital-intensive investment available but only for smaller vessels.
with a long-term time frame. As Wärtsilä, we pro- We have a hybrid-electric concept applied to
vide the engines, but this is one piece of the eco- 4-stroke engines that will compete with 2-stroke
system. Vessel designs will need to be adapted as engines in certain applications. When working
the energy density of the various fuels is entirely with the CII, you must continuously decrease your
different. The availability of fuels is of paramount energy consumption to maintain a specific rating.
importance as well and requires investments. Our And we all know that the 2-stroke is very effi-
approach in this volatile landscape consists of two cient around a working point. If we start moving
parts. Fuel flexibility and fuel efficiency are two away from this working point, the 2-stroke is less
things we are focusing on. efficient. And here is where the whole logic for
hybrid electric 4-stroke comes in. You have sev-
á How can shipowners formulate a clear eral engines; you switch them around and use the
fleet development strategy amid battery for power reserve.
today’s great uncertainty;
I think they need to work with partners with a ã Looking at the technologies and fuels
future-oriented perspective with whom they feel currently being developed/tested, how
they can have a fruitful dialogue regarding tech- likely is it that shipping will manage to
nology. Flexibility is critical because no one knows cut its annual greenhouse gas emis-
what the future holds. We know there will be dif- sions by at least half by 2050? Do you
ferent fuels in the future. We can already see this believe the industry will need more time
because major stakeholders are putting a lot of to achieve its environmental goals?
focus on ammonia, LNG, biomethane, methanol, The technology is or will be available in the rela-
etc. tively near future. The critical challenge is to create

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