VESSEL REVIEW | Lidan – Sweden's Erik Thun Group acquires hybrid ice-capable cargo ship
Dutch shipbuilder Ferus Smit has handed over a new dry cargo vessel ordered by Swedish shipping company the Erik Thun Group.
Lidan is the first unit in a new series of dry cargo vessels to be fitted with a hybrid propulsion system consisting of batteries and engines that run on traditional fuel. The hybrid arrangement optimises energy use in addition to helping reduce emissions.
Capable of safe navigation in ice and inland waterways
The newbuild has an LOA of 89 metres (290 feet), a moulded beam of 13.35 metres (43.8 feet), a draught of 6.24 metres (20.5 feet), a deadweight of 5,100, and approximately 5,830 cubic metres (206,000 cubic feet) of total cargo hold space.
The hull was built in compliance with Finnish/Swedish Ice Class 1B requirements, and the optimised bow design also allows the vessel to carry significantly more cargo with lower energy consumption. This can be achieved even when navigating many restricted waterways in Sweden such as Lake Vanern and the various canals and locks that flow out into the North Sea.
The battery pack will enable peak shaving and ensure efficient operations and minimal environmental impact without having to rely on the auxiliary engines for electricity generation.
A shore power connection will also be available to permit the vessel to shut down its engines and operate silently and without emissions while berthed. This capability can significantly improve the air quality in ports as well as reduce noise pollution that would otherwise adversely impact the crew and the surroundings.
Improved fuel economy compared to ships of similar size
A large-diameter controllable-pitch propeller housed in a nozzle will deliver increased thrust at lower speeds, reducing power demand when navigating in rough waters and during icebreaking operations.
The advanced design meanwhile allows for an 18 per cent reduction in the main engine's installed power without any loss in performance, thus resulting in decreases in both fuel usage and carbon emissions. With the combinator mode and the propeller, the fully automatic system constantly selects the optimal load point to maximise the efficiency of the propeller.
Design work on Lidan and its sisters was undertaken to enable the Erik Thun Group to address its clients’ priorities of fuel efficiency, electrical innovation, and maximum cargo capacity. The owner has therefore also implemented various measures to reduce electrical consumption aboard the vessel, and one such measure will harness excess energy using cooling water heat exchangers fitted in both the main and auxiliary engines.
