Berg Propulsion has won an order for a hybrid propulsion solution that will ensure three wind-assisted Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) ro-ro vessels are able to maximise efficiency regardless of their mode of operation.
Following delivery by China’s Wuchang Shipbuilding from 2026 onwards, the innovative vessels will carry Airbus A320 subassemblies from France (Saint-Nazaire) to the final assembly line in the US (Mobile, Alabama). The ships have been designed by Deltamarin with the aim of halving fuel burn and CO2 emissions in transatlantic operations by 2030 compared to a 2023 baseline.
Wind power drawn from six Flettner rotor-sails on each ship’s deck will make a strong contribution to reduced emissions, with weather routing optimisation software in place to maximise wind-assisted time and minimise drag. In conventional mode, the ships will run on dual-fuel methanol engines.
Optimising propulsion performance at all times will rely on integrated power management and propulsion systems from Berg. LDA has specified the supplier’s engine-agnostic propulsion package for newbuild ships. As well as the complete propulsion train to work with each ship’s main engines, Berg is supplying CP propellers with feathering capability.
Arthur Barret, LDA Head of Engineering, Project and Innovation said: “At LDA, our ambition is to lead the maritime industry through its energy transition. We must ensure that the solutions supporting our vision are the smartest available and that we can rely on our technology partners throughout a ship’s lifetime. Berg’s integrated propulsion system enables us to minimise fuel consumption and emissions.”
Amrita Singh, Account Manager, Berg Propulsion, added: “The system works with alternative power sources, including wind. It’s key when integrating sails that they work seamlessly with propulsion controls so that adjustments can be made to thrust in any given weather and sea condition. In Berg’s solution, Dynamic Drive is integrated into the MPC800 control system, which delivers this capability without the operational complexity of additional hardware.”
Mattias Dombrowe, Business Manager Electrical System Integration, Berg Propulsion said: “The propulsion package includes a range of ‘modes’, whose selection optimizes performance across the ship’s various operational requirements. As well as mechanical with PTO or electric modes, propellers also operate in boost mode to achieve full speed when required. When the rotor sails are in service, one or both of the propellers can be feathered to optimize wind-assisted operations.”
Crew can continuously optimise efficiency using the flexibility available to the propulsion control unit, rather than being limited by the predetermined relationships between engine load and specific fuel oil consumption.
Wei Jun Zhang, Account Manager Berg Shanghai concluded: “Working alongside Wuchang Shipbuilding has been an absolute pleasure, allowing us to showcase the competency, capacity, and capabilities that BERG has to maximise the performance of these innovative ships.”
Image: Berg propulsion will assist three LDA wind-assisted ro-ros to maintain maximum efficiency in all propulsion modes (credit: Airbus / Louis Dreyfus Armateurs / Norsepower)
