Horizon Reliance’s integrated automation system will protect and futureproof the vessel, improve its management and environmental performance and prolong its seaworthiness (source: Høglund Marine Solutions)
Høglund Marine Solutions president Børge Nogva explains how its retrofit of 41-year-old box ship Horizon Reliance can futureproof the vessel
Reaching IMO’s target of cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in half by 2050 will take a trillion dollars of investment in technology, says Høglund Marine Solutions president Børge Nogva.
Much of this will be spent on land, buiflding a renewable fuels supply chain for shipping to use. But while infrastructure waits for demand to take the first step and vice-versa, emissions rise.
What routes are there out of this deadlock? Mr Nogva refersto a recent World Economic Forum article that points out retrofitting is a flexible option for shipping companies that must transition from traditional to greener fuels.
“This approach will ensure fleets meet global standards for reduced emissions, while making them adaptable to whatever future fuel is available, be it ammonia, methanol, methane or hydrogen. Many of the same approaches and systems that underpin retrofit projects can also help newbuild vessels maximise efficiency and keep options open for a range of future fuels,” he says.
Høglund Marine Solutions designs, develops and installs integrated automation and energy systems that ensure safe, reliable and efficient operations for any vessel type. Its integrated systems boost performance while lowering operating costs.
Høglund Marine Solutions’ aim in the coming years is to help as many maritime companies as possible to reduce their carbon footprint by delivering systems that drastically cut emissions for retrofit, as well as newbuild, vessels. One example of this is the fuel gas supply system (FGSS) and automation retrofit it is providing to improve the environmental performance of Horizon Reliance, a 41-year-old container ship owned by US shipping company Pasha Hawaii.
Working with COSCO Shipyard Group, Høglund will deliver a total integrated solution for the 274-m container vessel. This includes installing the FGSS, digital solutions for data collection, and automating all new systems on board. The digital solutions will allow the owner to access detailed performance and operational data from the onboard systems, while facilitating informed decision-making for optimising operations. It is also installing a power management system (PMS) and ship performance monitor (SPM) to ensure safer and more reliable vessel operations that drive fuel savings.
Mr Novga says, “The PMS is designed to make the generators on board function more efficiently, while the SPM will analyse the Horizon Reliance’s power usage to boost its optimisation. Additionally, its integrated automation system will protect and futureproof the vessel, improve its management and environmental performance and prolong its seaworthiness.”
He adds, “This and similar projects demonstrate the increasing recognition across the maritime industry of automation’s role in maximising safety and reliability and improving environmental performance, as well as expanding the lifespan of shipping assets.
“Cutting carbon emissions is a long-term goal that requires significant investment from all stakeholders throughout shipping. Retrofitting existing vessels can help by providing integrated automation and digital systems that drive fuel savings, reduce GHGs and comply with industry regulation on addressing climate change.”
