Oldendorff Carriers has partnered with Swedish technology provider eMarine to advance energy efficiency across its fleet through Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) technology. As part of the partnership, VFDs have already been installed on 13 owned vessels, with the remaining fleet to follow, supporting reduced energy consumption and emissions.
VFDs allow onboard cooling pumps to operate at speeds aligned with actual demand, rather than running continuously at full power. By adjusting power consumption to ambient and operational conditions, the technology reduces excess energy consumption and delivers measurable efficiency gains under normal operating conditions.
Since the introduction of VFDs, Oldendorff has achieved estimated CO₂e savings of more than 5,000t. In parallel, the installations have delivered notable reductions in fuel consumption and operating costs.
Niklas Richter, Head of Fleet Projects and Drydock Coordination, said: “The installation of Variable Frequency Drives is a strong example of how we leverage technology to drive efficiency gains across our fleet. By using smart systems that adapt energy consumption to real operating conditions and allow performance to be monitored from shore, we can reduce emissions while continuously improving operational efficiency.”
Following a comprehensive review of several technology providers, Oldendorff selected eMarine as its technology partner. The evaluation considered system performance, availability, flexibility, ease of shore-based monitoring, lifecycle costs, and the level of technical support provided. The selected solution enables continuous performance monitoring across the fleet.
Ola Persson, CEO eMarine, said: “We are proud to support Oldendorff in their ongoing efforts to improve fleet-wide energy efficiency. This project demonstrates how proven onboard technologies, combined with structured energy optimisation and continuous follow-up through our eMarine.cloud platform, can deliver measurable and sustainable results at scale. By providing transparency, data-driven insight and long-term support, we support Oldendorff in continuously improving operational efficiency and reducing emissions across the fleet,”
The rollout of VFD technology forms part of Oldendorff Carriers’ broader decarbonisation strategy. The company’s owned fleet of around 100 modern bulk carriers is equipped with a range of fuel and energy saving technologies, including auxiliary engine economisers, energy efficient LED lighting, optimised hull designs, and propulsion efficiency devices such as the Becker Mewis Duct and rudder bulb. Together, these measures contribute to meaningful reductions in fuel consumption and emissions across the fleet.
Image: Oldendorff bulk carrier with VFD (source: Oldendorff)
