The ocean-going bulk carrier MV Arvika installed the Wärtsilä EnergoProFin on its fixed pitch propeller (FPP). Staff Centre Shipmanagement Ltd., who manages the vessel, was able to establish fuel savings exceeding 2.5%. “Thanks to the improved efficiency, the payback time is less than a year,” says Vladimir Eliseev, Technical Superintendent at Staff Centre Shipmanagement, LTD.
In the highly competitive shipping industry, every drop of fuel matters. Thanks to the good economic benefits stated by Wärtsilä and a favorable price, the owners of the 190-metre-long and 32-metre-wide vessel decided to install the Wärtsilä EnergoProFin. “The installation was made during a scheduled dry-docking at Chang Hong Zhoushan International Shipyard in China,” says Mr. Eliseev.
He adds that before the dry-docking they discussed and agreed with the shipyard that Wärtsilä’s service engineer would be engaged for the supervision of the installation made by the shipyard workers. “I must say that the Wärtsilä engineer did an excellent job. No complaints!” says Mr. Eliseev.
The Wärtsilä EnergoProFin was exclusively designed for MV Arvika’s FPP to reduce the hub vortex strength, decrease the total torque and hub resistance as well as to reduce fuel consumption. “It was possible to install it on the propeller by mounting through the original hubcap bolt holes."
Thanks to the improved efficiency, the annual fuel saving is 58,000 US dollars and the payback time is less than a year.
Staff Centre Shipmanagement has made a detailed analysis and comparison between two separate voyages; one made before the installation of the Wärtsilä EnergoProFin and one after. The voyages were made with a corresponding vessel draught and speed.
After the installation of the Wärtsilä EnergoProFin, the vessel was able to reach a speed that could not have been achieved without overloading the Wärtsilä 6RT-Flex 50 main engine. “According to our measurements and calculations, the EnergoProFin generates a fuel saving of 2.69%. In our case, this fuel economy will accumulate into annual fuel savings of more than 58,000 US dollars,” says a satisfied Mr. Eliseev. The savings figures apply for good weather conditions.
The fuel that MV Arvika could save amounts to 156,870 liters a year, which is equal to the annual consumption of 131 medium-sized cars.
The analysis made by the customer proves that the Wärtsilä EnergoProFin does result in increased efficiency. “Our total experience of the installation is almost one year, and the investment has in practice already paid for itself. Based on these facts, I can, without hesitation, recommend other vessel owners with similar needs to have the Wärtsilä EnergoProFin installed,” concludes Mr. Vladimir Eliseev.
