Wärtsilä, Chinese Shipbuilder Announce Hybrid Power Plans

Wärtsilä has signed an agreement with a Chinese state-owned shipbuilder for the joint development of a hybrid-powered dredger, but it could extend to other hybrid vessels as well, the company said.

The five-year agreement with CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. Huangpu Wenchong was signed at the Marintec conference and exhibition in Shanghai.

The purpose of the agreement is to build a cooperation framework and working mechanism for the research and development of hybrid power systems, the company said. Wärtsilä will support Huangpu Wenchong during the design and construction phases with technology innovations, system selection, performance calculations, and long-term services.

“Collaboration with industry partners is at the very core of Wärtsilä’s Smart Marine approach to raising efficiencies, and eliminating waste throughout the shipping sector,” said Henrik Wilhelms, director Offshore and Special Vessels at Wärtsilä. “This is one more example of this philosophy, and we look forward to cooperating with Huangpu Wenchong to create hybrid-powered vessels that will benefit the industry by lowering costs, and benefit the planet by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

The initial work will be based on a hopper dredger, a vessel that the shipyard already builds. Evaluations will be carried out to determine the most suitable hybrid solution for that class of dredgers.