HD Hyundai Marine Solution, a global company in the eco-friendly ship retrofitting business, has recently successfully completed an Engine Part Load Optimisation (EPLO) project for a Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC).
The vessel, Morning Concert, is the first of up to eight car carriers from Wallenius Wilhelmsen to undergo EPLO retrofits based on agreement signed with HD Hyundai Marine Solution and turbocharger company Accelleron in 2023.
EPLO is intended to significantly improve the efficiency of marine engines in their most commonly used power range by optimising the configuration of turbochargers. This is achieved by reducing the size of the turbocharger’s turbine and compressor, combined with derating the main engine. This requires optimisation of other engine parameters, such as injection timing for optimal combustion, which allows a significant increase in main engine efficiency over the power range of 20%-85%. The retrofit work wasfollowed by sea trials, confirming fuel efficiency gains, showing around 3-4% reduction in specific fuel oil consumption compared to pre-retrofit performance. Additionally, shifting the auxiliary blower’s switching point to lower engine power significantly reduces the operation time of the blowers and further enhances the overall vessel efficiency.
To comply with the IMO EEXI and CII as well as the EU ETS and other GHG reduction regulations, many shipping companies are reducing engine output levels to 60-70% of the original design power. This trend, combined with challenges of adopting expensive biofuels or dual-fuel conversions, is increasing demand for optimisation solutions like EPLO that can significantly enhance efficiency during slow-speed operations.
HD Hyundai Marine Solution launched the EPLO service with Accelleron in 2021, demonstrating improvements in fuel efficiency on the first vessel. In March 2024, an additional EPLO retrofit service contract was signed for four car carriers with Greece-based Neptune Lines Shipping and Managing Enterprises. Based on this success and increasing customer inquiries, HD Hyundai Marine Solution and Accelleron have now signed a strategic collaboration agreement for the joint development of the EPLO service. The agreement includes strategic cooperation in sales, marketing, engineering, procurement and installation. With this move, both companies aim to expand their EPLO business to effectively meet rapidly growing industry demands.
Image: EPLO agreement between HD Hyundai and Accelleron (source: Accelleron)
