A collaboration between Swedish manufacturer of controllable-pitch propellers BERG Propulsion, French ocean carrier CMA CGM, and German ship owner Reederei Rambow has played a crucial role in significantly enhancing the efficiency of an 868 TEU boxship.
The 2007-built Henneke Rambow has been revitalized and now ranks among the top performers in its class.
As part of an innovative retrofit project initiated by charterer CMA CGM, BERG partnered with Rambow to implement a comprehensive package of efficiency optimization measures onboard the vessel.
These measures were designed to meet current and future demands, following a performance review by BERG, which included an analysis of the vessel’s propeller and a data-driven examination of its propulsion system.
Given that the Henneke Rambow frequently operates at speeds lower than its original service speed, the DNV class-approved upgrade focused on optimizing the propulsion system for improved fuel efficiency. The retrofit project also included modifications to the ship’s bulbous bow, tailored to a revised operational profile.
“The Henneke Rambow project is an effective example of collaboration between owners, charterers and systems integrators, working together to optimize ship performance,” stated Mathieu Gubert, VP Chartering CMA CGM.
According to David Sakandelidze, Account Manager, Energy & Efficiency, BERG Propulsion: “Existing propeller blades were replaced with profiles that are hydrodynamically optimized for the vessel’s full operational profile. The ship’s control systems have also been upgraded to include BERG’s advanced MPC800 propulsion unit with Dynamic Drive. Including a retrofit to the vessel’s four-stroke engine, the integrated solution enables optimal propeller operations at all shaft speeds.”
Additionally, BERG installed a custom-made Network Frequency Stabilizer (NFS) onboard, allowing the shaft generator to operate at variable speeds while consistently delivering stable frequency and voltage to the main switchboard.
Upon completion, Reederei Rambow reported significant improvements in the operational efficiency of the Henneke Rambow.
“Following this upgrade, Henneke Rambow is demonstrating a remarkable performance improvement which ensures that this vessel will be one of the most efficient of this type for the decade ahead,” explained Sven Rambow, Rambow Bereederungs GmbH & Co. KG.
“The vital role smaller container ships play in global logistics can sometimes be overlooked, but in this case the enhanced performance is extraordinary, with our data indicating that the overall post-project efficiency gains are substantial. By taking care of the total propulsion solution, Berg has worked as the service and technology partner with CMA CGM as charterer and Rambow as a well-known owner so that a valuable asset remains highly competitive,” added Magnus Thoren, Account Manager, Energy & Efficiency, BERG Propulsion.
This project is part of BERG’s broader initiative to retrofit older ships, ensuring they remain competitive in an era of carbon intensity monitoring and emissions trading.