Solar Array Installed on Cargo Ship

The marine renewable energy technology company Eco Marine Power (EMP) announced that its Aquarius MAS + Solar solution has been installed on the large general cargo ship MV Panamana.

The  Japan-based EMP said in a press release that this installation was carried out by the ship’s crew with remote support provided by Zeaborn Ship Management (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. and EMP from Japan.

Over the next few weeks the solar power equipment will be integrated with EMP’s Aquarius Management & Automation System (MAS) and then put into service.

MV Panamana is a 54, 694 metric tonne (MT) open hatch general cargo/container carrier with 2 x 70 MT gantry cranes. The ship is owned by Masterbulk Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) and was built by Oshima Shipbuilding Co. Ltd in Japan.

MV Pananama has been the focus of a ship renewable energy study for a couple of years and the installation of the ship solar power equipment is a major milestone for the project.

The equipment installed on the ship so far includes a class-approved hybrid battery pack, battery charging equipment, flexible marine-grade photovoltaic (PV) panels with special mounting frames and a computer automation and management system.

Of particular note is that for this project the complete system was sent as installation kits and this allowed for the crew to install the equipment without the need of specialized tools and with technical support provided mainly online or via e-mail.

On reaching this project milestone Lars Modin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Masterbulk stated: “Masterbulk is very interested to be part of these trials, made with the target to find out how green energy resources can contribute to reduce usage of fossil fuel. We have a very good working relationship with Eco Marine Power and the promotion of alternative solutions for tangible fuel savings. Therefore, we are keen to see the results of those latest developments and what it can bring to shipping.”

Charan Singh, Managing Director of Zeaborn Ship Management (Singapore), added: “As a ship manager, it is our top priority to ensure safe and trouble-free vessel operations for the owner. The high level of technical know-how of our crews in combination with the well-prepared EMP installation kit allowed the implementation of the solar panel without interrupting the voyage vessel’s schedule. We hope that this success will help to promote the use of solar power in shipping to save fuel and reduce emissions".