Technology group Wärtsilä has secured an order to supply an integrated hybrid propulsion system for a new bulk carrier being built at the Royal Bodewes shipyard in the Netherlands for Norwegian shipowner Aasen Shipping. The vessel is the latest in a series of six designed to operate with a similar Wärtsilä equipment scope, further strengthening the long-standing collaboration between the two companies.
To address the industry’s increasingly stringent decarbonisation targets, Aasen Shipping is focused on utilising the latest technologies to cut emissions, reduce fuel costs and keep carbon-costs to a minimum. In combination with the highly efficient and flexible Wärtsilä 25 engine, Wärtsilä’s hybrid propulsion system will enable Aasen Shipping to optimise operations, save fuel and enhance environmental sustainability for its six new bulk carriers.
“The support from Wärtsilä and the performance efficiency of their equipment with the earlier ships in this series have strongly contributed to our dedication to operating efficient and cleaner cargo transport. In addition, Wärtsilä’s 25 main engine is designed to be future-proof, meaning we can switch to sustainable fuels as they become available, further supporting our ambitions for long-term environmental sustainability,” says Torbjørn Torkelsen, CEO, Aasen Shipping.
The 9500 DWT bulk carrier vessel will operate with one six-cylinder Wärtsilä 25 main engine fitted with a Wärtsilä NOx Reducer, a Wärtsilä gearbox and controllable pitch propeller with shaft line, and a Wärtsilä ProTouch remote propulsion control system. The Hybrid system includes a DC hub and 620kWh battery capacity, as well as the control system, battery, power, and energy management systems.
The Wärtsilä 25 engine is a medium-speed 4-stroke marine engine designed for easy upgrades to operate on future low or zero carbon fuels. It is available in 6L to 9L configurations with a power output of 1.7–3.4 MW and suitable as a main or auxiliary engine.
“The need to decarbonise shipping is driving the industry towards increasingly flexible, electrified and hybridised solutions, with sustainable fuel readiness also being built into newbuild solutions today,” comments Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä Marine & Executive Vice President at Wärtsilä Corporation. “Our hybrid propulsion systems are designed to allow vessels to run efficiently across various operating modes, adapting seamlessly to changing conditions. This flexibility contributes to improved fuel efficiency and enhances overall performance.”
The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery to the Royal Bodewes shipyard during the first half of 2027.
