US success for Sweden’s Berg Propulsion

Spartan is a RApport 3000 design, compact, flush-decked design built by US yard Master Boat Builders and powered by two Caterpillar 3512E main engines each developing 2,550hp with three gensets also from Caterpillar.

Spartan’s European content includes Berg MTA 628 azimuthing thrusters, VS3 variable frequency drives with motors, and its own hybrid control system. The design, supply and integration package includes switchboard with full power management of the engines. Safety requirements require a high level of redundancy along with the ability to switch seamlessly between operating modes with the push of a button.

It is increasingly common for newbuild shiphandling tugs to seek maximum efficiencies in different operating modes from low-load transit sectors to high-load demands during shiphandling operations. Berg’s hybrid solution allows Spartan to run on main engines only, gensets only, or a combination of the two optimising energy use across the entire operating profile of the vessel. In transit, energy consumption is minimised by running on a single genset, while in hybrid mode power is balanced between the main engines and electrical motors to optimise fuel consumption, manoeuvring response and bollard performance.

Installation of the package was managed at the shipyard by Berg’s distributor and local partner Thompson Marine, Berg stating it is the most advanced hybrid electric package it has ever delivered.

Richard Tremayne, Marine Business Manager, Thompson Marine, said: “This delivery sets down a marker that with the right team in place, the sustainability and performance benefits of advanced hybrid electric propulsion are available to all.”

Master Boat Builders President Garrett Rice added: “This has been a landmark delivery for Master Boat Builders in next generation tug construction, and a testament to the value of teamwork.”

It is the owner that in the end of course gets to judge the value of the product, with Seabulk’s President and CEO Daniel Thorogood saying that during the first weeks of operation Spartan lived up to the promises made for hybrid propulsion vessels.

“Seabulk’s commitment to improving the sustainability of its operations is represented by its investment in a new generation of vessels, whose flexibility is proving that hybrid tug technology is our choice for the future,” said Seabulk.