By
Alice Chambers |
Accelleron, a turbocharging technology provider, has helped Danish fast ferry operator Molslinjen to reduce its emissions and fuel and maintenance costs by upgrading the turbocharger onboard its ferry, Express 1.
Molslinjen operates the vessel on the busy commuter route between the Danish island of Bornholm and Ystad in Sweden so it needed Accelleron to carry out the upgrade within five hours while the ferry was docked overnight.
“We implemented the turbocharger upgrade during the night, while the vessel was out of service and took the measurements during regular operations without disturbing the schedule,” said Jann Koch, manager of the application engineering product line upgrades at Accelleron. “This was only possible thanks to the commitment and hands-on involvement of the vessel’s crew. The engines were certified and, through close coordination with the other parties, we achieved a successful conclusion. It was a true turnkey project, from initial investigation of the needs, to carrying out a well-planned upgrade, through to jointly arranging the certification work.”
Accelleron’s general strategy for turbocharger component upgrades is to implement its latest technological developments on a vessel as quickly and safely as possible so that the operator does not lose out on operation time.
In Molslinjen’s case, upgrading the eight Accelleron TPL65-A30 turbochargers will reduce the operator’s fuel bill by almost $200,000 annually and also cut yearly carbon dioxide emissions. The saving will be equivalent to planting 35,000 new trees every year.
Furthermore, upgrading the turbocharger onboard the Express 1 ferry means that the vessel can operate on a lower thermal load, reducing the wear and tear on both the engine and the supercharger component. This will allow Molslinjen to lower its overall maintenance costs.
“The Express 1 ferry makes the 80-minute crossing as many as 10 times a day,” said Bjarne Rasmussen, chief engineer at Molslinjen. “With this kind of frequency, an improvement in efficiency has a significant impact on the carbon dioxide emissions and fuel costs. We decided, therefore, to consult with Accelleron about possibilities to improve overall engine operation by optimising the turbocharger.”
Molslinjen and Accelleron worked with classification society DNV to ensure that all the components of the turbocharger meet the International Maritime Organization’s emissions and safety regulations.
“I can only say that the component upgrade with cartridge is a great solution,” said Rasmussen. “We are profiting every day from the benefits it has enabled. It was all done while the ferry was in service, and it was tremendously well executed. A textbook example of what can be achieved with a great crew, dedicated know-how and well-planned execution.”