Berg Propulsion - Experts & Thought Leaders

Confirmation that a propulsion system retrofit is achieving fuel savings of 10 percent has persuaded Norwegian shipowner, Arriva to go ahead with its second ‘Energy & Efficiency’ project with Berg Propulsion. In January this year, long-established Berg Propulsion customer Arriva upgraded the general cargo vessel Norjarl (5,335 gt) to include Berg’s MPC800 control system and Dynamic Drive. The project sought to optimise energy use at a reduced operating speed so that the 2009-built ship would retain its competitive edge in shipping’s low-carbon era. State-of-the-art control technology Monitoring over several months to track Norjarl’s performance in the North Sea and Baltic Sea has confirmed overall fuel savings of above 10 percent, according to Arriva. The results have led the owner to contract a second Berg retrofit involving the 4,183 gt general cargo carrier Norbris. “The Norjarl project showed the impact introducing state-of-the-art control technology could have when an existing ship is designed and maintained to the highest standards,” said Paul Helland, Technical Manager, Arriva Shipping. “After verifying the gains, we move forward with Norbris.” Berg Propulsion ERC2000 technology Installed with a MAN 6L32/40 engine, Norjarl previously featured propulsion control from another supplier. In the case of Norbris, built in 2002, the MPC800 control unit and Dynamic Drive will supersede existing Berg Propulsion ERC2000 technology to work with the ship’s MaK 6M32C engine. In both cases, the combination of Dynamic Drive and auxiliary generators provides an economical route to flexibility in engine speed control, said Magnus Thorén, Energy & Efficiency Sales Manager, Berg Propulsion. Installation and performance evaluation “We have installed control systems and the Dynamic Drive solution on board several Arriva newbuilds, and the owner has become a key Berg Propulsion customer in Norway,” said Magnus Thorén. He adds, “The Norjarl retrofit involved close collaboration through installation and performance evaluation, so it is especially pleasing that the owner is confirming that the thinking behind the first project has been borne out by experience to drive a second.” Energy & Efficiency projects helped owners extend the life of pre-2010 ships to compete at a time of volatile fuel costs, emissions trading and carbon intensity ratings, added Thorén. Modern control and drive technology The follow-up project is also a notable success for Saga Marine, which represents Berg Propulsion in Norway. Eirik Lutnaes, Saga Marine, said: “There are plenty of good quality ships out there with the potential to perform cost-effectively, competitively and sustainably using modern control and drive technology. We are delighted to work with Berg Propulsion in support of Arriva’s fleet renewal strategy.”

BERG Propulsion is offering the shipping industry its first opportunity to select propeller shafts made using the climate-neutral GreenForge® production process, in a maritime sector that is highly exposed to anticipated carbon pricing. Three Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) ro-ro vessels due in service from 2026 to carry aircraft parts across the Atlantic are already set to take advantage of sustainable wind power, courtesy of their rotor sails, while their hybrid propulsion, power management and control technology is coming from BERG. GreenForge® production BERG will supply propeller shafts made from recycled scrap steel, using the GreenForge® production In addition, BERG will supply propeller shafts made from recycled scrap steel, using the GreenForge® production–a process developed by Björneborg Steel which draws on renewable electricity sources and makes pioneering use at scale of the fossil-free biogas rDME or bio-propane instead of propane. The process is audited as cutting 95% of the CO2 generated in conventional production, with other measures mitigating the remaining emissions to ensure full climate neutrality. Use of maritime GreenForge® Björneborg Steel indicates that producing the six propeller shafts for LDA using the GreenForge® process will result in a reduction of 160 tonnes of CO2 compared to the conventional method. Kajsa de Mello, Operations Director, BERG Propulsion, said: “BERG is delighted to work with Sweden’s cutting-edge steel industry and pioneer the use of maritime GreenForge®. We are proud to be the first supplier in the world to offer customers propeller shafts using this process. It is fitting that the first sea-going application should be low-emission ships." Incentivise renewable energy The world’s first climate-neutral propeller shaft for LDA is due delivery from Björneborg Steel The world’s first climate-neutral propeller shaft for LDA is due delivery from Björneborg Steel to the BERG plant in Hönö, Sweden in March, with five more to arrive before the end of June 2025. The EU’s ‘Clean Industrial Deal’ is expected to help revitalise European industries by including measures to incentivise renewable energy, remove barriers to investing in clean technologies, and offering aid and tax breaks to cut carbon.  Face penalties and higher production costs Penalties are also coming for CO2 emissions in industry that will improve the competitive position of processes such as GreenForge®.  CO2 emission ‘rights’ are being withdrawn from EU steelmakers, meaning they can switch to climate-neutral processes or face penalties and higher production costs. By 2030, Björneborg Steel projects emission-free processes will be cheaper than their legacy counterparts. Fossil-based production costs Björneborg Steel projects emission-free processes will be cheaper than their legacy counterparts “The sustainability case for carbon-neutral steel is compelling and, while it is currently at the premium end of the market, its use will offer marine equipment buyers a route around escalating fossil-based production costs,” said de Mello. “BERG is proud to lead where others will have to follow.” Håkan Dedorsson, CEO, Björneborg Steel, said: “Like other industries, maritime has its share of sustainability pioneers and stakeholders open to the innovations needed for the challenges ahead.” Cutting-edge GreenForge® process Dedorsson added: “We are ramping up production based on the cutting-edge GreenForge® process, subject to the availability of biogases and we look forward to helping BERG’s customers make the green choice that will benefit generations to come.” Based on demand, Björneborg aims to shift its full production to the GreenForge® process in 2027.

Skarv Shipping Solutions has increased its order for ‘zero carbon project carriers’ from Shandong Huanghai Shipbuilding Co. Ltd to five ships, extending its commitment to a Berg Propulsion package that optimises vessel efficiency regardless of power source. Bergen-based Skarv, a joint venture formed by Peak CSL Group and Grieg Edge to develop sustainable short-sea shipping, specified inline ammonia-ready engines for the initial four 7,000 dwt ships, with the first ship due delivery in Q4 2025, followed by three more through 2026. The fifth vessel – due delivery in the second half of 2027 - will feature DF ammonia/MGO capability. In all cases, vessel performance will count on integrated control and propulsion technology from Berg which is future-proofed to work with a full range of alternative marine fuels and other green energy sources. Berg collaboration with Skarv Berg collaborated closely with Skarv and ship designer LMG Marin to devise a tailor-made, adaptable propulsion solution Berg collaborated closely with Skarv and ship designer LMG Marin to devise a tailor-made, adaptable propulsion solution for the 108m length vessels. The system’s efficiency has already proved itself as ahead of fuel economy and emissions expectations in extensive model tests at Norway’s independent research organisation SINTEF. Words from Skarv CEO “We have worked closely with LMG Marin, Berg and Shandong Huangdai Shipbuilding to secure efficiencies in every detail of these ships,” said Jan Øivind Svardal, CEO, Skarv. “As well as serving shipping’s decarbonisation agenda, we are confident that these high performance and adaptable carriers will attract charters from project cargo customers who expect the most cost efficient decarbonisation.” Full integration Each ship will feature a single screw controllable pitch installation from Berg with a large propeller diameter Each ship will feature a single screw controllable pitch installation from Berg with a large propeller diameter and high system torque capability, optimised to match hull/power/speed - and in this case ice class - as well as thrusters. Berg’s control, power distribution and energy management system integrates main engine, battery and shore power sources to optimise vessel efficiency in all scenarios. “The zero carbon carrier will be far more climate-friendly than what we see in Europe’s short-sea market today, with a very low fuel consumption,” said Svardal. “It is not what we imagine is the final climate solution for shipping, but it is a giant step in the right direction.” Berg’s MPC800 Control System Including electric motors with permanent magnet technology and run by Berg’s MPC800 Control System, the package provides continuous dynamic optimisation of propeller rpm/pitch/vessel speed, in a setup also future-proof to integrate bigger batteries and fuel cells. It integrates dual DC-Hubs from The Switch, which control propulsion motors, batteries and the inverter for the main switchboard and deliver the variable speed capability to optimise genset energy use. Berg technology future-proofing ships “The results from SINTEF verified how Berg technology future-proofs ships for efficiency independent of the power and fuel sources by reducing energy consumption dynamically and adaptively on an integrated basis,” said Mattias Hansson, Senior Global Sales Manager, Berg Propulsion. “We are therefore delighted that the owner has returned to place a fifth order in this innovative ship series." “This is an outstanding example of what can be achieved by ship, main propulsion and electrical systems when a shipowner, a ship designer, a shipyard and an equipment and system integrator work together in the early design phase to prioritise performance and sustainability.”