Shaft generator retrofit

Norwegian shipping company Klaveness Combination Carriers ASA (KCC) has taken a strong step toward improving vessel efficiency and reducing emissions with WE Tech Solutions (WE Tech), opting to install shaft generators on nine vessels in its fleet. This involves six retrofits and all three newbuilds joining the fleet in 2026. WE Tech and KCC started their cooperation in 2014, with the recent installations reflecting KCC’s broader strategy to optimise energy efficiency and reach its sustainability goals.

Optimising fuel efficiency

For KCC, the primary reason behind installing shaft generators was improving fuel efficiency. By generating electrical power from the main engine while sailing, the vessels can significantly reduce the use of auxiliary engines and in that way save on fuel costs.
“With the shaft generators we can better utilise the main engine, which has a much lower specific fuel consumption compared to the auxiliary engines,” explains Alison García Peña, Project Manager Energy and Operational Efficiency at KCC.

Reaching ambitious decarbonisation targets has, for a long time, been an important part in KCC’s vessel design and operational strategy. Using a shaft generator allows the vessels to take advantage of the main engine’s efficiency while also supplying on-board electrical power. This further brings the main engine closer to its optimal operating range.
“Typically, the added load that the shaft generator is producing is maybe in the range of 15% of the total load of the main engine in normal operation,” says Martin Wattum, Head of Energy and Operational Efficiency at KCC. “That brings it closer to the optimal load of a diesel engine.”

Combined with other efficiency initiatives, for example hull performance improvements, the shaft generator contributes to better overall energy utilisation on board. “It reduces the total emissions as we use the efficient main engine, and it also contributes to less vibration, noise and heat in the engine room as the diesel generators are not running,” Wattum states. He adds that KCC is also trying to understand whether WE Tech’s solutions can have further beneficial effects when it comes to underwater radiated noise.

On-board operational benefits

In addition to efficiency gains, KCC’s team has observed practical operational benefits since installing the WE Tech shaft generators. The reduction in auxiliary engine running hours does not only lower fuel consumption, but is also expected to reduce long-term maintenance requirements. Crew feedback has been positive as well. The system integrates smoothly with the vessel’s power management system and is straightforward to operate.

“We see that they are using far less fuel on the auxiliary engines,” says Wattum. “They are running fewer hours in total, and we also expect to see a reduction in maintenance costs going forward.”

“I would say it has decreased the workload since we are running the auxiliary engines less, so they require less maintenance,” Peña continues. “It is also noticeable that there is less noise and heat in the engine room, which is very positive for the crew.”

Shaft generator retrofit experience and lessons learned

Several of the shaft generators were installed as retrofits, which required careful planning and coordination between the partners. One of the initial challenges was space availability in the engine room.
“In the beginning it was a big question mark if we could find the space because the engine room space is very limited,” explains Wattum. “Trying to retrofit a shaft generator in such a tight space was one of the biggest hurdles.” But despite the complexity, the projects were completed successfully.

“If you have the right service engineers and the right yard to help safeguard a good installation, then it works well,” Peña states. The retrofit projects also provided valuable experience that will help to optimise similar installations in the future for KCC.

Reliable operation

Since the commissioning stage, the shaft generators have proved reliable in daily operation. While occasional alarms or adjustments can occur, KCC strongly underlines the responsiveness of WE Tech’s technical support team.
“We have not had many issues, but sometimes there can be alarms like with all new equipment,” says Peña. “The response from WE Tech’s technical support has been great, and issues have been addressed very rapidly.” As crews gain more experience with the system, their confidence in operating the shaft generator has increased as well.
“In the beginning they were more conservative in how they used the shaft generator systems, but now they are getting more comfortable and are running the system optimally,” says Wattum. KCC describes the cooperation with WE Tech as constructive and solution-oriented.
“I think it has been very good cooperation with everyone that we have dealt with in WE Tech. The company is very solution oriented,” states Peña.
“KCC is a very proactive and creative company,” adds Petter Bodman, General Manager at WE Tech. “It is a pleasure working with the people there, and the synergies we can create with the end user and solution provider is a very good match.”

By combining improved energy efficiency, reduced emissions and better on-board working conditions, the shaft generator installations represent an important step in KCC’s strategy to operate more efficient and sustainable vessels, always with the strictest attention to safety in mind.

Alison García Peña (KCC), Petter Bodman (WE Tech), Martin Wattum (KCC)