A Norwegian ferry operator has upgraded one of its ferry’s propulsion systems with two Schottel EcoPellers, reducing the vessel’s energy consumption by up to 25%.
At the end of 2020, Torghatten Trafikkselskap’s double-ended RoPax ferry was retrofitted with two electrically driven EcoPellers type SRE 340 L CP (750 kW each). After more than a year and a half in operation, the company is now reporting positive results.
Gunnar Heringbotn, technical manager at Torghatten Trafikkselskap said the company chose EcoPellers as a best fit and to support the company’s sustainability ambitions. “Today we know this decision was exactly the right one,” he said.
“With the help of Schottel’s customised retrofit concept, we are saving up to 25 per cent. As a result, we not only significantly reduce operating costs, but also emissions for the environment.”
The hydrodynamically optimised design of the EcoPeller is said to produce maximum steering forces and high overall efficiency and course-keeping ability. This reduces fuel consumption and ensures lower operating costs and emissions.
SCHOTTEL LeaCon is a seal monitoring system certified by DNV which reportedly offers safe and reliable protection against seawater contamination caused by operating materials. Separate seals to the seawater and to the gearbox side ensure that both seawater coming into the system and gear oil going out of the system are collected in an intermediate chamber.
LeaCon is also used to monitor the condition of the seals, so operational wear can be detected at an early stage and unscheduled maintenance avoided.
