Danfoss Displays Drive Technology at Workboat 2018

At this year's Workboat show in New Orleans, Denmark-based technology group Danfoss displayed an array of electric and hydraulic solutions for every segment of the marine industry, from fishing boats to offshore oil rigs. 

Danfoss systems can be found in nearly every part of the world and in nearly every industry. The firm is a 27,000-employee, $7 billion company, with a global network of application development centers. In the shipping segment, its components can be found in virtually every part of a vessel, from cargo decks to accommodations, winches, thrusters, utilities, and the engine room. The firm also offers solutions for a full range of offshore rig applications, including top drives, draw works and pipe handling systems. 

Danfoss is also bringing its considerable expertise in industrial control technology to the problems of fuel efficiency and emissions reduction, which are core concerns for shipowners in today's increasingly strict regulatory environment. In the passenger-vessel sector, Danfoss has helped several operators greatly increase the efficiency of their propulsion and hotel systems. 

In one example, a major river cruise line based its first river cruisers on an electric energy and drive system using Danfoss' VACON NXP Liquid Cooled Drive, which enables an efficient DC bus. Each ship is fitted with four asynchronous generators controlled by VACON NXP drives, which power the electric propulsion system and the onboard grid. Asynchronous generators are significantly more cost-effective than conventional gensets. This solution allows more efficient variable speed operation and yielded 20 percent fuel savings. The drive also minimizes noise levels for the passengers. The cruise line has made this electrical propulsion system standard on 50 vessels since 2009.

In Scotland, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) recently developed a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system for its newest roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferries. With variable speed drives from Danfoss, this system is achieving fuel savings of up to nearly 40 percent, with a commensurate reduction in emissions. “We will certainly look at hybrid technology in any further new small vessels or upgrading existing vessels. And, of course, it depends for its success on the use of reliable, efficient and well-engineered components, which, as it happens, is a very good description of VACON NXP drives from Danfoss," says John Salton, Fleet Manager and Project Director for CMAL.

In other recent application examples, Danfoss systems have helped Royal Caribbean shave about 30 percent off of HVAC loads on the Oasis of the Seas; provided fast, safe and accurate control of an ROV submersible for CT Offshore;.and saved 1,300 gallons of fuel per day at offshore port terminal CCB Bergen by supplying shore power for docked oil rigs.