MV Aasfjell delivered to her owners Aasen Shipping
Royal Bodewes delivers world’s first hybrid self-discharger MV Aasfjell
Shipping is on the eve of an energy transition. The goal is
clear: to move from fossil fuels to zero carbon energy sources and
technologies. The ways in which this goal can be achieved, vary. Royal Bodewes
is proudly joining this transition by delivering the world’s
first newly built hybrid self-discharger: MV Aasfjell. And if
it is up to the shipping company, that is just the beginning.
On 15 December 2021 MV Aasfjell, a 9400 DWAT general
cargo ship built for Norwegian Shipping Company Aasen
Shipping, successfully completed her sea trials. The vessel was
delivered on 22 December. Unique to MV Aasfjell is, that it is
hybrid: next to the MGO main engine, she has an electric motor
and tons of batteries, allowing her to sail emission-free.
Battery pack for peak shaving
The battery pack has another advantage;
it will be used for peak shaving during sea
voyages. Whenever the engine needs more power in heavy seas, the batteries
will boost the propeller and whenever an overload of energy on the
main engine is measured, the batteries will absorb the energy.
This way, the engine is more stable and more fuel
efficient. It also has a positive impact
on emissions.
Emission-free use of electric excavator
But that’s not all that has been gained. The ship is
equipped with a battery pack of 535 kWh for emission-free use of the electric
excavator for loading and unloading. Once in port, all engines can
be turned off. Only batteries are used then, or the
vessel’s excavator is running on her large shore-connection.
Fuel-efficient sailing
Off course, electrification is one way to contribute
to future-proof water transport. But Royal Bodewes looks beyond that. There are
many ways to contribute to sustainable shipping and the shipyard is not putting
all its eggs in one basket. Sailing on different types of fuel/sustainable
energy sources, like methanol or hydrogen, reducing energy use
overall... There is plenty to gain. For now, Bodewes is off to a good
start.
What will the future bring?
It won’t be too long before there will be a
follow-up. At the moment, Royal Bodewes is building another hybrid
self-discharger: NB 769, a sister vessel of MV Aasfjell. Furthermore, another
series of 5000 dwt vessels with excavator and a hybrid system are under
construction, all to be delivered in 2022.

