Having served round the clock as an inspection vessel in the Port of Gothenburg since 1979, M/S Hamnen has during 2023 been converted to electric propulsion. The vessel undertakes a variety of tasks, but its foundation lies in representing the Port Authority and ensuring compliance with regulations according to port ordinances.
“M/S Hamnen is in very good condition, and there is no other vessel better suited for the mission. When we started looking at electrification, we quickly concluded that it was better to retrofit rather than replace. This further reduces emissions as we use an already existing vessel instead of doing a newbuild,” says David Falk.
M/S Hamnen is in active operation for approximately 1200 hours per year. With the previous engine, the vessel consumed 25,000 liters of diesel, resulting in 67 tons of carbon dioxide emissions – equivalent to 15% of the Gothenburg Port Authority company’s total emissions – which are now eliminated. A total transformation has taken place in the engine room as the previous diesel engine has been replaced by a brand-new electric motor with 250 kW of power. In addition, a battery bank of 520 kWh has been installed, which can be supplemented with additional battery capacity in the future if required. A diesel auxiliary engine has also been installed, which can be activated in exceptional circumstances. In addition to electrification, the vessel also received a new bridge, as well as a range of measures to enhance working environment and extend lifespan.
For the Gothenburg Port Authority, the electrification of M/S Hamnen is not only a step in achieving the port’s climate goal of a 70% reduction in port-related emissions from Vinga out to sea, to the entire Gothenburg area on land by 2030, argues Viktor Allgurén, Head of Innovations at the Gothenburg Port Authority: “The electrification of M/S Hamnen is important as the vessel is a symbol of the Port of Gothenburg as its inspection and representation vessel. We have high expectations that all actors in the port contribute to reducing emissions, then we must lead the way and set an example.”