Page 134 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - MARTIOS 2023

TECHNOLOGY & SHIPBUILDING

HMM STEPS TOWARD CARBON NEUTRALITY the SMR industry and enhance the competitive-
WITH NINE METHANOL-FUELLED 9,000 ness of the Korean maritime and nuclear industries.
TEU CONTAINERSHIPS
HMM announced that it has signed newbuild- WÄRTSILÄ AND BERGE BULK COMPLETE
ing contracts with Hyundai Samho Heavy MARITIME INDUSTRY’S FIRST INLINE
Industries(HSHI) and HJ Shipbuilding and Con- SHAFT GENERATOR RETROFIT
struction(HJSC) for nine 9,000 TEU containerships The technology group Wärtsilä has successfully
powered by methanol dual-fuel engines. retrofitted an inline shaft generator system on the
Last July, HMM unveiled a mid-to-long-term ‘Berge Toubkal’, a cape-size bulk carrier owned by
strategy to leap forward to be a global top-rated Singapore-based Berge Bulk. This is the marine
shipping and logistics company by enhancing industry’s first-ever shaft generator retrofit, and
fleet competitiveness. With the order of metha- its successful completion will improve the vessel’s
nol-powered containerships, HMM has taken an Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) while
initial step toward expanding its eco-friendly fleet reducing its overall carbon footprint.
using alternative fuels. Shaft generator systems onboard ships are driven
Methanol significantly reduces greenhouse gas by the main engine to supply power to the mains,
emissions compared to conventional oil-based thus saving fuel and emissions. They are sized to
fuels, bringing an immediate improvement in air eliminate the need to operate auxiliary engines
quality around ports and shipping lanes. Sulphur while at sea. While such systems, also referred to
oxide (SOx) and particulate matter emissions are as Power Take-Off (PTO) systems, are today’s stan-
virtually eliminated, and nitrogen oxide (NOx) dard installations on newbuild vessels, large inline
emissions are cut by 80%. versions with the generator sitting directly on the
Furthermore, methanol’s biodegradable and propeller shaft and turning at 50 to 100 rpm have
water-soluble qualities significantly reduce the never before been retrofitted.
risk to marine environments. The retrofitted shaft generator will also provide
Under the agreement, HSHI and HJSC will build power to an air lubrication system installed at the
seven and two vessels, respectively, costing a total same time. The system includes a Wärtsilä con-
of USD 1.12 billion. The ships are scheduled to be trol system, as well as a converter to allow the
deployed on the Asia-North/Latin America trade generator to operate over a broad span of rpm.
lanes and the Asia-India routes, with expected The existing intermediate shaft and bearings were
delivery from 2025 to 2026. In particular, green replaced to accommodate the increased weight.
shipping corridors between Busan in Korea and
key ports in the U.S. are also one of the potential BLENDING HYDROGEN WITH NATURAL GAS:
routes to operate the new ships. AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT OF DNV AND
KOGAS
COLLABORATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT DNV has been selected by South Korea’s state-
AND DEMONSTRATION OF SMR owned natural gas importer and transporter Korea
TECHNOLOGIES FOR LARGE SHIPS Gas Corporation (KOGAS) to assess the viability
KAERI signed an MOU with 8 institutions on Febru- of blending hydrogen into the nation’s gas trans-
ary 9th at the Gyeongju City Hall. The participating mission network.
institutions included Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeo- The two-year project will assess the scope for
ngju-si, Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean blending hydrogen with natural gas in KOGAS’
Engineering (KRISO), Korean Register (KR), H-Line 5,000-kilometre-long domestic transmission net-
Shipping Co., Ltd., HMM Co., Ltd., Wooyang Shipping work.
Co., Ltd., Sinokor Merchant Marine Co., Ltd. The work plan includes assessing and demonstrat-
This MOU aims to lay the foundation for develop- ing the viability and impact of blending hydrogen
ing and demonstrating SMR technologies for large with natural gas at various ratios in KOGAS’ trans-
ships and commercialization in the future. mission pipeline system, advising on the options,
Recently, the development of eco-friendly ships has construction and operation of hydrogen injection
been intensifying worldwide due to the strength- facilities and equipment, reviewing methods for
ened greenhouse gas emission regulations in the controlling the concentration of hydrogen blending
international shipping sector. Last year, the Inter- for customers, providing on-site technical support
national Maritime Organization (IMO) discussed and data analysis for the hydrogen demonstration
ways to adjust the 2050 greenhouse gas reduction project and supporting KOGAS in addressing the
target in the shipping sector. requirements of the energy regulator through the
The MOU signed by these institutions will allow application of knowledge gained in related proj-
them to jointly contribute to the development of ects internationally.

134