ABB to Install Energy Management System on 5 Rickmers Vessels

ABB's Advisory System is expected to be installed on all 5 vessels by the end of 2012

The Swiss-headquartered technology group ASEA Brown Boveri (ABB) has won an order to install their fuel saving and emission cutting Energy Management System on five Rickmers vessels.

At current bunker price levels, ABB estimates that payback for the system will be less than a year, and on-board tests have shown fuel consumption can be cut by up to 5%.

ABB will supply advisory systems for dynamic trim optimization, energy management, and fleet management solutions, and expects all five installations to be operational by the end of 2012.

Dynamic Trim

Dynamic trim optimization is “ballasting or loading the ship to achieve the floating position that consumes the least propulsion power.”

ABB say the system “dynamically measures the actual trim and advises the crew on optimal floating position,” with data being visible to onshore management.

The systems are part of ABB’s newly developed Advisory Suite of software which the firm says will help vessels to save on fuel consumption every year, which will have the knock-on effect of reducing emissions.

"Through industry experience and tests on-board we are certain that our trim optimization system can help our customers save up to 5% in fuel consumption and consequently reduce emissions significantly," said Mikko Lepistö, Advisory Systems Manager for ABB's Marine and Cranes business.

The first system is expected to be commissioned in the third quarter of 2012.

Rickmers-Linie is part of German firm Rickmers Group, specialising in the global transportation of break-bulk, heavylift, and project cargoes.