Damen Shipyard to install fuel saving technologies on four bulk carriers

Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards will install scrubber systems and several fuel-saving technologies on four bulk carriers of BAM Shipping.

PHOTO: Model of the bulk carrier with all equipment to be installed. Damen Shipyard

For this bulker retrofit project, Damen Shipyard will install scrubbers on the vessels along with supply propellor optimisation systems, air lubrication systems, and other fuel-saving technologies, it said.

Scrubber or exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) will enable these vessels to run on cheaper HSFO while complying with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) global 0.50% sulphur limit. Several shipping and oil companies maintain that scrubbers effectively mitigate pollution, but opposition voices like the Clean Arctic Alliance argue that scrubbers are an outdated solution.

By optimising the propeller's performance, vessels can achieve significant fuel savings and lower operational costs. Enhanced fuel efficiency allows vessels to travel longer distances on the same amount of fuel, improving their operational range.

The air lubrication system is an energy efficiency measure that uses air from air release units (ARUs) in the hull to generate air bubbles that run continuously beneath the ship’s surface, forming a coat of air that reduces friction significantly.

“Following this, the bulk carriers are anticipated to consume at least 20% less fuel,” Damen Shipyard claimed.

Amsterdam-based financial services provider Atal Solutions has arranged funding of $123.7 million for this project. It will provide $105.2 million in credit, meaning vessel owners only need to contribute 15% of the cost themselves and have ten years to repay the loan, the shipbuilder said.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

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