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DNV GL’s Eknes: significant potential for hybrid workboats in the Gulf

DNV GL’s Eknes: significant potential for hybrid workboats in the Gulf
Arnstein Eknes, OSV and special ships market and business development director for DNV GL, sees significant potential for smart vessel operations in the Middle East workboat fleet which will cut operating costs and raise efficiency.

Although he cannot provide details of specific projects yet, he says that the classification society has noted significant interest in electrical power, hybridisation and vessel autonomy from workboat operators during Seatrade Offshore Marine & Workboat Middle East, held in Abu Dhabi this week.

The regional workboat market generally is suffering from the economic downturn arising from the collapse in oil prices but, despite this, continuing port expansion and shipyard development is generating demand for various types of workboats.

Three new harbour tugs have been ordered by Abu Dhabi Marine Services (Safeen) in recent days, for example. The vessels will work for the rapidly expanding Abu Dhabi Ports Company, with two to be built by Turkey’s Sanmar and one by Damen. Eknes identifies tugs, OSVs and ferries in the region as particularly suitable vessel types for battery hybrid propulsion systems.

One challenge, however, is the fact that vessel operators may be reluctant to spend additional money on either new or existing vessels, despite a favourable impact on operating costs. This is because fuel-saving benefits often accrue to charterers who pay for fuel. In Norway, Eknes reveals that some new charter arrangements have been developed recently in which Statoil, for example, splits savings in fuel costs with vessel owners.

However, fuel savings are not the only benefit to be had from hybrid arrangements, Eknes points out. More effective use of gensets operating at optimal loads can reduce the number of units required on board in, for example, dynamic positioning mode, as well as increasing time between overhauls and reducing ongoing maintenance requirements.