When launched in early 2019 the vessel, being built at Spanish yard Gondan Shipbuilders, will become the first vessel operating with a Wärtsilä HY solution, the technology group said in a press release.
The innovative Wärtsilä HY solution will bring notable environmental benefits, as well as operational and flexibility advantages that result in considerable economic gains. It will be capable of operating on electrical battery power when in transit.
Although it is configured as a mechanical set-up, the hybrid diesel-electric mode will allow the number of prime movers utilised to be reduced to just one for various operational tasks. These include ship assist with a bollard pull of up to 55 tons, or 90 tons on two main engines in diesel-mechanical mode. A bollard pull of 100 tons will be available when in boost mode.
Since the Gulf of Bothnia is typically frozen over in winter, the 36m long tug will be capable of icebreaking operations and able to handle one metre thick ice at a speed of up to 3 knots. The Wärtsilä HY is designed to cope with these harsh conditions.
"We expect to see the Wärtsilä HY 2 hybrid power module becoming the new technological benchmark for tug propulsion systems given its clear economic, operational, and environmental benefits. The Wärtsilä HY technology opens the door to a new era in shipping, and is based on our unmatched in-house capabilities in a broad range of disciplines," said Wärtsilä Marine Solutions marine engineering director Giulio Tirelli.
"The integrated hybrid functionality of this vessel will give us a bollard pull of up to 100 tons, while saving fuel and maintenance costs and producing emission levels some 20% less than from a conventional ship of this type and size. In other words, we shall have first-class performance in both its operation and its environmental impact. We are very pleased to be getting a tug that reflects the future needs of the industry," said Port of Luleå md Henrik Vuorinen.
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