The first of two Tipco asphalt carriers with Høglund integrated automation and hybrid-electric system now in operation!

Høglund, the renowned provider of advanced marine automation, has successfully completed the commissioning of its first delivery with complete Hybrid system, on board Atlantic Narval built by Wuhu Shipyard (code W2061) for the operator Tipco Asphalt.

The project required a great deal of hard work and good coordination between ordering, engineering, building, approval by class, and delivery of several necessary components for the Integrated Monitoring, Alarm and Control System as well as the Hybrid-Electric System. The Hybrid System is composed of Shaft generator, DC switchboard (based on Vacon modules), transformers, AGM batteries and the control system for all of these.

Høglund’s Senior Project Manager Sorin Manea, who had a hands-on attitude during the project by getting actively involved in all the stages described above, including the commissioning, says:

“The central part of the delivery, the hybrid-electric system, is intended to offer greater energy efficiency over a wide range of speeds of the Main Engine. It is controlled by the Høglund Energy Management System and fully integrated with Høglund IAS, PMS, SPM and valve control system.”

The Høglund team embarked on the commissioning at the end of February and successfully completed the project by the end of March, with the functionality checked and approved by the owner and class during the harbour tests. Despite the start being delayed by approximately two weeks, the team still managed to finish on time, which led to high satisfaction from the yard for the shown professionalism, expertise and quality of service. During the Sea-Trial, the system was tuned to work efficiently together with the rest of equipment onboard.

The system is trusted to contribute to the owner environmental company strategy described by Oscar Olav Palacios, Tipco Fleet Manager: “With an outlook to optimise our fuel efficiency and operational flexibility, we are certain that Høglund’s fully advanced integrated hybrid, automation and digital solutions will be hugely beneficial to our CSR strategy and will reinforce our vision to continuously contribute to the industry’s sustainable development”.

Looking ahead, the team is now looking forward to starting the commissioning of the second vessel W2062- Baltic Narval in the second half of April 2023.