NCL Nordland, the second of two container vessels that put bio-methanol at the forefront of container shipping’s low-carbon future, has entered service weeks after sistership - Vestland verified that its Berg Propulsion package optimises efficiency regardless of energy source.
Owned by MPC Container Ships, these dual fuel 1300 TEU vessels can be operated on methanol and/or MGO, under a 15-year charter to North Sea Container Line in services connecting Norway and Rotterdam.
Early movers
“Nordland and Vestland establish MPCC as an early mover in competitive green fuel strategies to deliver long-term shareholder value for shipping’s low carbon future,” said Constantin Baack, CEO of MPCC, adding “The project also shows how we meet ambitious goals by working with like-minded partners.”
High-performance systems
NCL has also signed a deal with Equinor to bunker bio-methanol - initially running on a 5% blend
Space efficiency and the high-performance propulsion systems built into these ships cut energy consumption per TEU by 63% per nautical mile compared to their predecessors.
NCL has also signed a deal with Equinor to bunker bio-methanol - initially running on a 5% blend, but increasing bio-methanol content over time to support carbon neutral operations as the supply chain matures.
Integrated Berg energy management system
On each ship, the result is an integrated Berg energy management system and tailored total propulsion solution, which consolidates the electric part of the propulsion train to optimise the two-stroke main engine performance, and Berg’s MPP 1410 Controllable Pitch Propeller and MTT bow and stern thrusters.
Christian Rychly, Chief Operating Officer, MPC Container Ships, commented: “Berg Propulsion and partners managed to develop, build and integrate complex systems and applied high-end technological philosophies into fully functional machinery on board both vessels despite challenges that can occur during newbuilding projects, and we would like to thank them for their cooperation and support.”
Optimum fuel efficiency
“We worked as a co-designer for the integrated main propulsion solution, configuring the compact Engine Room layout to enable optimised aft ship design and performance,” said Mattias Hansson, Senior Global Sales Manager, Berg, adding “We are delighted that the teamwork between all parties in this collaborative newbuilding program has resulted in truly exceptional ship fuel efficiency.”
Berg’s tailored solution also included optimised propeller design, as well as its power and control electronics to maximise operational flexibility.
Overcoming decarbonisation challenges
“Nordland joins a service which is already proving itself on efficiency,” said Bente Hetland, Managing Director, NCL, adding “This is an extraordinary example of stakeholders collaborating to overcome decarbonisation challenges cost-effectively so that green freight is the customer’s preferred choice.”
Energy management
“This is next level energy management which mixes and matches the energy sources to the best advantage of ship performance,” said Mattias Dombrowe, Business Manager Electric System Integration, Berg, adding “The hybridised set up optimises energy use from gensets, the shaft alternator, and 250 kWh battery for load balancing during thruster or other peak loads, also accommodating the shore connector for zero emissions when the vessels are in port.”
