Accelleron and HD Hyundai Marine Solution (HMS) have successfully improved fuel efficiency on two Hapag Lloyd container ships.
By implementing Engine Part Load Optimization (EPLO), the Basle Express and Essen Express recorded fuel savings of over 10g/kWh. For shippers tracking carbon footprints, this equates to roughly 5% lower consumption at specific load ranges.
As ocean carriers increasingly embrace slow steaming to manage costs and emissions, marine engines must be adapted to perform well outside their original design parameters. The EPLO upgrades on these vessels included:
- Engine tuning specifically for part load operation
- Turbocharger modifications and fixed cut out systems
These technical changes allow the container ships to run significantly more efficiently at reduced speeds while retaining the ability to deliver full propulsion power whenever required.
The retrofit project moved aggressively from paper to execution, with commissioning completed within just four weeks of the initial order. Given the immediate and measurable fuel savings, Hapag Lloyd plans to roll out the EPLO solution across eight more vessels within its Dortmund Express class fleet.
Upgrades like EPLO are becoming critical tools to help shipowners improve overall operational efficiency and meet tightening environmental regulations, such as FuelEU Maritime and strict corporate emissions targets.
This specific project highlights a highly scalable retrofit approach to cut fuel consumption and improve vessel performance without taking ships out of service for extended periods. The EPLO solution is rapidly gaining traction across the industry, with Accelleron and HD Hyundai Marine Solution already contracting the upgrade for more than 100 vessels globally.