GE's Marine Solutions to Help Reduce Maersk Line Triple-E Bunker Costs

GE is to supply the carrier's 11 19,630 TEU vessels with its Power Take Off/Power Take In technology.

GE’s Marine Solutions Monday announced its entry into the Container Ship industry, with news that its systems are to help reduce bunker costs for Maersk Line’s 2nd generation Triple-E vessels.

GE is to supply the carrier's 11 19,630 TEU vessels with its Power Take Off/Power Take In (PTO/PTI) technology, that it describes as being able to provide excess power on demand while reducing fuel consumption.

"When not being used to propel the vessel, the PTO/PTI technology uses the surplus energy to power onboard systems and equipment," GE expalins.

"It acts as either a generator or a booster to generate electricity from slow streaming speeds all the way up to the design speed of the vessel."

By using the mechanical energy of the vessel’s drive shaft, excess energy can be directed to onboard systems when required, thus diminishing the need to burn fuel to power those systems.

"The result in fuel savings is significant, especially when coupled with improved operational flexibility," said GE, although it did not provide estimates of what the savings might amount to.

Commenting on GE’s partnership with Maersk Line, Tim Schweikert, president & CEO, GE’s Marine Solutions said: "Having Maersk as a partner, our entry into the container ship industry could not be more impactful.

"GE is continuously investing and developing solutions for the marine industry, and with our PTO/PTI technology, we are reinforcing our intention of driving the industry forward."

Lowing bunker costs can mean big savings for the world's largest box shipper.

In its latest earnings report, AP Møller-Maersk (Maersk) said its Q1 operating expenses had decreased by $1.0 billion year-on-year due mainly to lower bunker prices.