Maersk’s largest boxships supplied with GE’s fuel-efficient technology

GE Marine Solutions recently delivered its power take off/power take in (PTO/PTI) solution onboard four of the world’s largest container vessels owned by Maersk Line, Madrid Maersk, Munich Maersk, Moscow Maersk and Milan Maersk.

The four vessels are among the 11 Maersk second-generation ultra large container vessels called the EEE Mark II, and the world’s largest with a capacity of 20,568 TEUs each.

    “GE’s propulsion and software system creates energy savings and is helping us achieve our sustainability strategy, which aims to reduce carbon emissions per container vessel by 10 percent,” said Steffen Hartvig Nielsen, senior project manager, Maersk Line.

The PTO/PTI solution consists of two GE motor-generator sets that sit on the two propeller shafts while connecting to the GE MV7000 drives. During the PTI mode, the motor-generator sets play the role of an electric propulsion system that provides additional motor power—beyond that of the main diesel engines—to propel the vessel. When the need for propulsion power is reduced, the motor-generator sets switch to the PTO mode, harnessing the mechanical energy from the shaft and converting the otherwise wasted energy into electricity to generate power for electrical equipment onboard the vessel.

Moreover, GE’s Marine Solutions also provided its digital software solution, Power Management System, to fully automate the operation. The software is connected to all generators onboard the vessels. Based on the required sailing speed, the system will optimize fuel usage and, therefore, generate operational savings and optimized vessel performance.

    “In container shipping, falling rates have been offset to a degree by low fuel prices. Unbalanced supply and demand, however, have put increasing pressure on vessel operators to continue to cut costs. Environmental regulations have also raised clear challenges,” said Azeez Mohammed, president and CEO, GE’s Power Conversion business.