Damen Shipyards Group, together with partners including Atal Solutions has completed its retrofit of four bulk carriers for BAM Shipping. The project has involved the integration of a series of efficiency boosting technologies and is expected to lower the vessels’ fuel consumption and emissions significantly.

The retrofit is the first time that all of the various solutions have been used in a single retrofit project. In aiming to reduce fuel consumption, the project has maintained five main focal points: resistance in the water, optimising power usage, enhancing propulsion, cutting emissions and lubrication systems.

Efficiency boost

Initially, the plan was to install solutions including the Damen Air Cavity System (DACS) marine lubrication system, the Damen Triton IoT solution, low friction anti-fouling paint, variable frequency drives, shore power connectivity, LED lamps, a wake equalising pre- and post swirl duct, CO₂ capture systems and DEX QM lubrication technology.

Collectively, the project partners anticipated that these measures would reduce fuel consumption by 20-25%, with a reduction in emissions of around 90%. However, during the project, the scope was broadened yet further with the inclusion of four more efficiency boosting solutions.

Growing scope

These were the inclusion of fuel additives, oil lubricant additives, a Hempel propeller coating, and use of nano EFX. This spray solution is applied to the engine’s air intake, ionizing humidity and ensuring optimal fuel combustion, minimising consumption, emissions and carbon deposits.

In the coming weeks, the vessels will be verified by classification society RINA, at which point the total volume of fuel savings will be confirmed. However, two of the vessels have already been in operation following the initial retrofit measures and show signs of meeting their anticipated efficiency goals. The fuel savings will additionally reduce the vessels’ OPEX considerably.

Lifetime extension

The project prepares the four bulk carriers for operations in compliance with recent regulations including Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), and Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI). The work undertaken will also extend the lifetime of the vessels by an expected twelve years.

While Damen performed the retrofit of the vessels, Atal Solutions arranged the 123.7 million USD funding for the project. Atal provided a supplier’s credit amounting to 105.2 million USD, requiring the vessel owners to provide just 15% equity, and having a 12 year repayment period with competitive interest rates.

Open and flexible approach

Damen Business Development Manager Rutger van Dam said, “This has been a very exciting project. What we have done here, with the integration of so many different solutions to achieve a combined result, is unprecedented. Of course, there have been challenges along the way, but the outcome has been successful and just goes to show that, with the right people, and the right mindset, you can go a long way. The lessons we have learned on this project will be invaluable as we continue to work towards our goal to become the most sustainable maritime solutions provider.”

Edwin Sieswerda CEO/Founder of Atal Solutions said, “We are very pleased with the preliminary results of this project, and are looking forward to the class verification in the coming weeks. At that point, we will gain a clear picture of how significant the fuel savings resulting from these measures have been. Judging by the performance of the vessels operating already, we expect a positive result. This is in no small part due to Damen’s approach. On a number of occasions during the retrofit we approached Damen with new ideas and suggestions. Each time, they listened to what we had to say and found a way to make it happen.

“At the current time, there are so many unknowns surrounding the maritime energy transition. If we are to succeed in preparing our industry for a cleaner, more sustainable future,  an openness to ideas and flexibility such as that shown by Damen will be of vital importance.”