The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Marine propulsion solutions provider

Are you unsure of what technology to aim for in a changing maritime market? Looking to get the most out of your investment and vessel when choosing a propulsion manufacturer?

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There can be some pitfalls and showstoppers when acquiring a propulsion solution today. Designing and purchasing a vessel is a long and complex process of specification, funding, and expectations.

In short, finding the right solution for your operation is not easy. Therefore, in this article we go through 5 important things to consider when choosing a propulsion manufacturer. Some of these are even easy to overlook, so let’s dive in.

What is a propulsion solution?

When you hear the word propulsion it is easy to think only of propellers. And yes, propellers are literally pivotal in when propelling a vessel, but there is much more to propulsion. A propulsion manufacturer will consider not only the propeller, but also multiple other elements that must be tuned to reach the desired performance.

• The ship’s hull and correct propeller tunnel
• Appendixes, like rudder, brackets, keel, etc.
• Gearbox
• Main drives, like diesel engines, electric motors, etc.
• Control systems
• And more..

All these components fall in under the term “Propulsion solution”. What may surprise you is that propulsion manufacturers rarely supply the power systems or solutions for the energy themselves. Propulsion manufacturers should focus on efficiency, regardless of the power-source. The greatest savings are in the energy you do not use, is a saying in the marine industry. Efficiency should always come first.

So, with that in mind and the stage set, let’s go through a non-exhaustive list of things that are important to consider when choosing your propulsion system and their manufacturer. Bear in mind that each point may inform the other in some way, and they may need to be balanced against each other. It all depends on your operation and the vessels intended use.

5 important things to consider

Vessel’s region of operation and expected tasks

Depth is an important factor of geography and area of operation when it comes to a propulsion system. With some specific operational requirements, vessels may have to be able to get all the way into the shallows or even be able to reliably beach to get to those in need. Some CTVs may operate around wind farms on shallow sandbanks and must handle those conditions.

There will of course be exceptions, but if the waters of operation are very shallow, your main option is a waterjet solution. Here most of the mechanics are embedded into the ship, and with no propeller protruding out from the hull. This reduces your vessel’s draft and may affect who is the ideal manufacturer and supplier.

Read more: Why CPPs are the preferred choice for wind farm vessels

Operational profile

Exactly what your vessel will face in operation can be hard to determine, but what must be determined when finding the optimal solution is operational stability or predictability.

Examples:

• A ferry going inland will have a very predictable operational profile, going between ports with short stops.
• A CTV will have a very different profile, but also predictable. It will go at high intensity between land and installations/rigs, push on the wind mill for crew transfer and later it may loiter for longer periods of time, waiting for crew to return.

These bits of insight determines what the optimal power and propulsion solution is. Should you choose diesel combustion, hybrid or fully electric, and should it be paired with a specific type of propeller or waterjet? Ask a manufacturer. They are after all the experts.

Accepted TCO (Total cost of ownership)

It is not possible to speak of efficiency without talking about your TCO or forecasted OPEX. By large, it revolves around what fuel or energy cost is acceptable, a major part of your OPEX. This again depends on your industry sector, market, and available resources. Some operators may have very low fuel costs, and not focus as much on operational efficiency, while other have clear ambitions and perhaps regulatory/financial guidelines they must follow.

This is also an aspect of the industry and market that is rapidly changing, with an increasing focus on having an efficient operation and vessel.

Read more: The most valuable energy is the one you do not use

Choice of Technology

There is a lot happening in the industry with power technologies. Diesel is still a huge part of the market and can surprisingly be the most efficient and/or green choice, under certain conditions.

For example, if your region or area of operation does not have any electric charging infrastructure, or the energy supplied are coming from fossil fuels, having a hybrid vessel will often mean hauling around many tens of tons of batteries and management systems without the means of charging them at quay. On-board charging has roughly 10% power loss, from feeding electricity to the batteries from your diesel generator, and back out to the electric motors from the battery.

When designing the vessel’s hull lines, it is important with a relationship and communication between the designer and the propeller manufacturer. You must optimize the system with regards for the propeller diameter, propeller tunnel, rudder size, -position and -type. Additionally, the angle of propeller shaft related to the hull base line must be considered.

There is also a time consideration on your delivery. The electric/hybrid market is in high demand, and the major manufacturers have lead times spanning 16 months or more. Demand is high, and manufacturer’s capacity is still growing.

Read more: Efficient Propulsion in a Green Environment, What are the Options?

Manufacturers partners and established service infrastructure

This depends a lot on your region of operation vs. the manufacturer. Having to ship parts and personnel around the world for repairs and service can be a large expense and burden on your operation. Therefore, once you get a clear view of how these points affect each other, it can be recommended to look at the service needs and options for your craft.

Goto Haoye to know more.

Even though your manufacturer of choice does not have a branch in your region, they may have partners and collaborations with other companies that have the capabilities and capacity to take care of your vessel’s need for maintenance through its lifetime.

Conclusion

This is not an exhaustive list of considerations, but some key things we have found can cause friction during your acquisition. These considerations can also affect each other, and some compromises may have to be made. However, the core take away is to holistically look at your vessel, its operation, and your region. It’s a whole comprised of many important parts, just like a propulsion system. And remember; the greatest saving is the energy you do not use.

When choosing a new propulsion system for your vessel, there are several factors you need to consider to ensure you get a system that fits your needs, the operating environment you operate in and the financial framework you have set yourself. We at Frydenbø are specialists in propulsion systems and give you some advice here on what you should think through before you go for the acquisition of a new system.

1. Type of Vessel and Area of ​​Use

Size of the vessel: The size of the boat will determine how much power the propulsion system must be able to deliver to function optimally.

The vessel's area of ​​use: What will the vessel be used for? Is it a leisure boat, work boat, ferry, fishing boat or ship? Work boats will typically require a robust system with high operational reliability to avoid downtime.

Speed ​​requirements: Think about what cruising speed and top speed you expect. Some systems are optimized for high speed, while others are better for steady, lower speed.

2. Efficiency and Operating costs

Fuel economy: How important is it to you to keep fuel costs down? Modern engines and electric propulsion systems are designed to be more energy efficient, which can reduce both fuel consumption and emissions.

Maintenance: How much maintenance does the system require? Some systems are easier to maintain and have a longer lifespan, which can reduce overall operating costs over time.

Learn more about electric and hybrid propulsion from Frydenbø

Conventional solutions from FPT Industrial

3. Environmental considerations

Emissions requirements: Check whether there are emissions requirements for where you will be using the vessel. Stricter environmental requirements, such as NOx and CO2 emission limits, can influence the choice of propulsion system. In the ECA areas, the current IMO Tier III regulations apply.

Solutions that satisfy the IMO Tier III regulations

Fhoto: Mare Safety. Boat equipped with NOx ATS cleansing system from Frydenbø.

Noise level: Low noise level is important, especially in environments where noise pollution can be a problem. Electric motors are very quiet compared to traditional combustion engines. More and more aquaculture customers are choosing to switch to hybrid systems on their work boats precisely to reduce noise and emissions. Good for the fish and good for the people who work on board.

4. Budget

Acquisition cost: What is your budget for purchasing the propulsion system? Electric and hybrid engines often have higher acquisition costs than traditional diesel engines but can be more cost-effective over time.

Total cost of ownership: Consider both the acquisition cost and the total operating and maintenance costs. Some engines are more expensive to purchase, but cheaper to operate over the engine's lifetime.

5. Adapted to future technological developments

Technological evolution: Consider propulsion systems that can be adapted to future technological changes. For example, hybrid and electric solutions will be better equipped to meet future environmental requirements.

Battery pack installed in vessel.

6. Traffic area and environmental conditions

Sea conditions: Should the boat operate in coastal waters or at sea. The boat's propulsion system must be able to adapt to environmental conditions such as waves, currents and wind conditions.Frost or cold conditions: If the boat is to be used in a cold climate, you must choose a propulsion system that can withstand such conditions. This includes heated diesel systems or special solutions for electric motors.

7. Maneuvering

Maneuverability: The choice of propulsion system can affect the boat's manoeuvrability.

8. Availability of Service and Spare Parts

Local support: It is important to choose a propulsion system from a supplier that has a good network of service partners and access to spare parts in the area where the vessel will be used.

9. Security

Reliability: Choose a system with proven reliability. Safety at sea depends on the engine and propulsion system working flawlessly in all conditions.

Choosing the right propulsion system is about balancing the requirements for power, efficiency, environmental considerations, costs and safety. It is important to evaluate what is best for your vessel based on use, environment and future needs. The right choice of propulsion system can optimize the vessel's performance, reduce costs and ensure safe and efficient operation for many years to come.

We at Frydenbø help you choose systems that are adapted to your needs and regulations.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Marine propulsion solutions provider.