Bertel O. Steen Teknikk AS (Bostek) joins Norled's efforts to install new, environmentally-friendly engines on their older express boats.
Bertel O. Steen Teknikk AS joins Norled’s efforts to install new, environmentally-friendly engines on their older express boats.
Technical novelties and innovative solutions are an absolute must if you are to fulfil the future environmental requirements to your fleet of express boats.
“It will take many years for fossil fuels to disappear completely from the market, but there are effective environmental measures you can take even today,” says Bjørn Egil Søndenå, Regional Manager for Express Boats at Norled.
Norled will enjoy clear environmental benefits from both hybrid propulsion solutions and upgrades of older express boats.
“Climate requirements are getting stricter and stricter. The important thing for us is to have partners who keep up with the times when our express boats are in need of technical upgrades,” says Søndenå.
Greener Propulsion
The company that was picked by Norled for the upgrade of the Fjordsol and Fjordglimt express boats is Bertel O. Steen Teknikk AS (Bostek). Prior to the name change, Fjordglimt was known among passengers in Western Norway as Tiderose.
Read more: Green Light to Synthetic Diesel
Bostek’s delivery consists of MTU 8V 2000 engines with an output of 720 kW each. The MTU 2000 and 4000 series have been certified for synthetic diesel, which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 80 per cent.
The engines will also be delivered with a catalytic converter (SCR), which reduces NOx emissions by up to 90 per cent. This will help the express boats meet the market’s strict IMO Tier III emission requirements by a wide margin after the upgrade.
“Norway’a authorities have identified renewable fuel and, among other things, synthetic diesel, as one of several options for reducing greenhouse emissions,” says Roy Storeng, Sr. Sales Manager at Bostek in Bergen. He clarifies:
“The last generation of renewable fuel has approximately the same properties as diesel compliant with the EN590 standard. What is more, this fuel is sustainable.
A Host of Challenges
Bostek has long staked its bets on green solutions for the express boat market, among other things, through its acquisition of Inpower in Molde.
Read more: Bostek Stakes Its Bets on Green Propulsion
Norled depends on suppliers like Bostek to meet the environmental requirements of the future.
“The express boat market is expected to go fully green in Norway’s ongoing green shift. This is why it is important to cooperate with innovative players who develop environmentally-friendly technologies for the Norwegian market,” says Søndenå.
“But is it impossible to replace diesel nowadays?”
“Battery-only operation nowadays is only possible along short distances. If you opt for battery-only operation, this leads to reduced speed, among other things, because of the challenges posed by weight. Battery-only operation will necessitate changes to the route structure,” says Søndenå and adds:
“Another much debated alternative is hydrogen-based propulsion. This solution will also need well-established land-based infrastructure. But we are constantly moving in the right direction.”
“It will take many years for fossil fuels to disappear completely from the market, but there are effective environmental measures you can take even today”
Bjørn Egil Søndenå- Regional Manager for Express Boats at Norled
Hybrid Propulsion
Norled will have the first express board with hybrid propulsion delivered in January 2019. The hybrid engine will be used mostly on departure and arrival.
“Approach and manoeuvring at the port do not require so much engine power. This is a time when the engine more or less runs idle. In hybrid operation, the diesel engine cuts out, and the electric motor takes over,” explains Søndenå.
“We are very satisfied with the order intake in the express boat segment. We also venture in projects in the heavier market segment, among other things, offshore wind service and well boats. Here we can offer a number of solutions that fulfil current and future environmental requirements,” says John Asle Marhaug, Marine Sales Manager at Bostek.
Good cooperation
To ensure the success of its environmental strategy, Norled invests in long-term cooperation partnerships.
“We have extremely good relationships with all of our engine suppliers. What is great about Bostek is that they are incomparable when it comes to the further development and customisation of the engines they receive from their suppliers. This ensures predictability in our operations.”
Norled appreciates the fact that Bostek continues the follow-up even after completing an individual delivery.
“Our livelihood depends on ensuring proper market service for 10 to 15 years after delivery. This is why it is extremely important to us that everything works the way it
should, in particular, considering that we are subject to strict requirements for regularity in our contracts,” says Søndenå and concludes:
“Bostek takes all environmental challenges seriously. We often talk to them about improvements, system customisations and innovations. They have become an excellent partner for us at Norled.”