Kongsberg Maritime upgrades NCA hybrid vessel

The project will involve the installation of Kongsberg Maritime’s electric Rim-Drive azimuth thrusters and an enhancement of OV Bøkfjord’s hybrid capacity.

“This project proved that the hybrid technology has developed significantly over the last ten years since the OV Bøkfjord was first introduced,” commented Eivind Midtlid, sales manager offshore integration & energy, Kongsberg Maritime.

“Back then, it was a pioneer of its time, and today through this range of upgrades, we’re ensuring it will have even better environmental performance, for many years to come.”

The OV Bøkfjord, delivered in 2016, was one of the NCA’s first hybrid vessels and one of the first battery hybrids from Kongsberg Maritime. Along with the switch to a Rim-Drive azimuth thrust, this upgrade includes expanding the battery capacity fourfold.

Kongsberg Maritime has used operational analytics to explore various decarbonisation options, optimising fuel consumption and supporting the NCA’s future emission reduction targets.

The upgraded vessel will charge its batteries with clean energy from Norway’s hydroelectric power grid and is expected to significantly reduce both noise and emissions.