Hybrid conversion for Brazilian OSV
The operating efficiency of the CBO Flamengo will be upgraded with the installation of a hybrid propulsion system (Source: CBO)
Brazilian offshore vessel operator, CBO, has signed a contract with Helsinki-headquartered Wärtsilä to retrofit its platform supply vessel (PSV), CBO Flamingo, with a hybrid propulsion system. The PSV is understood to be the first vessel in Latin America to have a battery pack installation.
The CBO Flamingo’s hybrid system will enable the ship’s engines to operate more efficiently at lower loads whilst also providing an additional source of power that can be used to meet load increases (peak shaving), saving fuel and cutting emissions. Furthermore, the engines will clock up fewer running hours and therefore require less maintenance, Wärtsilä said.
CBO’s Technical and Commercial director, Marcelo Martins, said: “CBO is always interested in new technologies, and innovation is in our DNA. We seek less fuel consumption and this, aligned with our environmental and social governance initiatives, makes the decision to install batteries in our vessels a natural path. CBO will offer more efficient operation to our clients, and this will be the first step of more to come.” CBO, established in 1978, operates out of Niterói and Macaé. It has a fleet of 32 offshore vessels including platform supply vessels, oil spill response vessels and anchor handling tug supply ships.
