CASE TIRRENIA: High Efficiency Propulsion Reduces Fuel Costs for Cruise Ferries

CASE TIRRENIA: High efficiency propulsion reduces fuel costs for cruise ferries

Vincenzo Leboffe Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione (CIN) times, the downside is that it increases fuel COO, Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione (CIN) is an Italian, privately-owned shipping consumption and consequently operating company. In 2012 the Italian Government expenditures. Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione is privatised Tirrenia (the major Italian ferry – Since fuel costs amount to more than well aware of the challenges many company, founded in 1936) which was half of our OpEx, we came to the conclusion ship owners face as a result of high subsequently acquired by Compagnia Italiana that we needed to take some action. fuel costs. They are an Italian shipping di Navigazione. We seriously wanted to reduce the fuel company and owners of the “Tirrenia” CIN has a contract with the Italian Ministry consumption and engine maintenance costs brand. Recently, the company discovered of Transportation to provide an essential link in our vessels, says Vincenzo Leboffe. that their high-speed ferries were no between the mainland and the major islands In the discussions with Wärtsilä, CIN longer profitable due to their high rate of of Sardinia, Sicily and Tremiti. CIN operates a received a proposal containing several fuel consumption. Fortunately, however, fleet of 18 vessels and in 2014 the company options with different propulsion solutions. the company was able to reduce these started RoRo service operations in the Red In short, Wärtsilä suggested reducing the fuel costs by implementing Wärtsilä’s Sea area and the Spanish region. maximum speed from 29 to 27 or 24 knots high-efficiency propulsion system. – Wärtsilä guaranteed us an Need for efficiency increase in propulsion efficiency A large part of Tirrenia’s fleet was built after resulting in at least 10 % reduction in the millennium shift with most of the vessels fuel consumption simply by using only designed for high-speed operations at top two engines instead of four, speeds of around 29 knots. Although this says Vincenzo Leboffe COO of CIN. kind of speed significantly shortens voyage Challenges Solution Beneﬁts

––Improving the propulsion ––Installation of a high-efficiency ––Fuel savings of at least 10 % efficiency propulsion system and related ––50 % reduction of main engine ––Reducing fuel consumption equipment, featuring 50 overhaul costs and maintenance costs increased efficiency blades and ––50 % reduction of lube oil and expert installation supervision fluid costs on board. ––Reduced environmental impact

and installing new efficiency blades, optimized of 214 metres, a beam of 26 metres and a Supporting Tirrenia’s business and for 21 Knots with a maximum attainable gross tonnage of about 36,000 GT. Currently, goals speed of 24 knots in 2 engine mode. With this the M/V Bithia operates on the Genoa The installation of the new high-efficiency configuration, Wärtsilä was able to guarantee (mainland) – Olbia (Sardinia) route, although propulsion system on the Bithia ferry, with an increase in propulsion efficiency, resulting she is also used on other routes from time four more vessels to go, has brought Tirrenia in at least 10% reduction in fuel consumption. to time. significant benefits such as savings in energy In addition a considerable reduction in noise The installation work took place during a and engine maintenance costs as well as a and vibration could be guaranteed. dry-docking at the shipyard in Muggiano, La reduced environmental impact as an added – After several evaluations of the Spezia. Everything went smoothly according bonus. alternatives we had, we considered Wärtsilä’s to the schedule and overall programme. Bithia The importance of this efficiency solution to be the best; and they are also passed the re-blading sea trials at the end of propulsion installation is also reflected on a the original manufacturer of the propulsion November 2014. higher level as it supports Tirrenia’s business system, says Mr Leboffe. – The performance of Wärtsilä’s people and goals. In May 2014 Tirrenia decided to order a was flawless in my opinion. The installation – For us this investment also has another high-efficiency propulsion system and related went without any major challenges, thanks impact, as it enables us to achieve our equipment to five of their ferries: M/V Bithia, to the competent, reliable and available staff ambitious goals. Given the results obtained M/V Athara, M/V Janas, M/V Nuraghes and from Wärtsilä, says Vincenzo Leboffe. on our ferry M/V Bithia, I would say to other M/V Sharden. The scope of supply included According to Mr. Leboffe, the solution ship owners that the benefits obtained from a a project and feasibility study to supply certainly worked as Wärtsilä promised. The high-efficiency propulsion system are certainly 50 increased efficiency blades and expert added value of using two engines instead of well worth considering, concludes Vincenzo supervision regarding the blade installation. four was also of vital importance for Tirrenia. Leboffe. – For us this meant an additional Solution with further added value 50 % saving in expenditure in terms of The first ferry to receive the new high- costs relating to lube oil consumption and efficiency propulsion system was the overhauls. At a speed of 21 knots we have 2001 built, M/V Bithia equipped with four established a significant reduction of fuel Wärtsilä 12V46 engines. She has a length consumption by 12.52 %.

WARTSILA.COM