Baja Ferries has installed Pinfabb_ECO smart stabilisers control to its M/V Caribbean Fantasy RoRo/passenger ship to optimise ship performance, save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions.
The ship, which is managed by France Ferries, has had its existing Sperry Marine Fins Stabilisers replaced and renewed by the Pinfabb_ECO technology. According to Nicolas Carion, France Ferries Technical Manager, the aim of the replacement was to secure a better condition of the fins system and save fuel due to a more optimised algorithm.
Carion said: “We needed servicing our SPERRY GYROFINS stabilizers to replace existing anti-roll motion system, with old and not liable electronic components. The aim was to secure proper conditions of the fins system and to be able to present and share a most advanced system able also to save fuel thanks to a more optimised algorythm.
Our conditions were to perform this job in a short time and to provide data to the officers on watch in order to be able to optimise the use of the stabilizers as much as possible and not to consider fins should be in use, for passengers comfort, from beginning to end of sea passage.
The was performed in a very short time, with CMR Tunisia shipyard support. All studies have been made in advance and the installation of PINFABB_ECO system was done in less than 1 week, including test, with a « plug and play » process.
The system has been working properly and we found a simple way to adjust fins use and save fuel oil while maintaining a good comfort to our passengers.
This upgrade figures as part of our SEEMP (ship energy efficiency management plan) as per SOLAS requirements.”
The installation was carried out in less than a week, taking place during the ship’s drydock in Menzel Burguiba, Tunisia, utilising the support from the CMR Tunisia shipyard. Although this installation was carried out during drydock, Pinfabb states that it can be performed during the ship’s operation.
The Pinfabb ECO panel was installed in the wheelhouse in place of the old one, using the existing frame, while the main panel was installed in the engine control room. This main panel is made from advanced military and marine standard components and includes an electrohydraulic motion controller to advance reliability and accuracy. Pinfabb’s technology components can replace new or obsolete stabilising controls or can be matched with the existing ones to improve the stabilisation performance of the ship and save fuel. Through sophisticated calculations that take into account factors that influence ship stability, such as wind, current, cargo conditions, weather, the propulsion power and ship drift, Pinfabb_ECO indicates best actions for the crew to take and suggests which, or if both, fins have to be extended to optimise stability for fuel consumption reduction.
The system has proven successful, not only in simplifying operations for the crew, but also producing a 60% reduction in stabilisers drag and fuel consumption, leading to fewer CO2 emissions. As part of the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), the Pinfabb_ECO system works to attain such efficiency gains.
In addition, the Pinfabb Techncial Team has overhauled the stabilisers plant to modernise the system for lower costs compared with the standard ones proposed by manufacturers.
Matteo Fabbricotti (Pinfabb SRL CTO and PINFABB ECO developer) said about this experience: “The cooperation with Technical Superintendent and the crew on board was excellent. Furthermore, the support of CMRT yard was very professional. The working environment where we have installed PNFABB _ECO was always efficient and friendly. With this installation through the collaboration of Baja Ferries and France ferries we aim to expand our system also in Central America, as well as to strengthen our relations with managements of Mediterranean area.
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