On May 27, 2025, the newly installed shaft generator system of “Yue Dian 53” bulk carrier under Guangdong Yue Dian Shipping was successfully synchronized with the ship's power grid and achieving stable power supply. The major technical retrofit project of "Yue Dian 53" has achieved a significant breakthrough after overcoming numerous challenges, culminating in complete success. Throughout the entire sea trial process, SETH dispatched a professional technical team to provide comprehensive on-site support, ensuring the smooth completion of all test items.
The "Yue Dian 53" has an overall length of 189.99 meters, length between perpendiculars of 185 meters, molded depth of 14.20 meters, design draft of 12.8 meters, beam of 32.26 meters, and deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 57,000 metric tons. The "Yue Dian 53" was originally equipped with a conventional propulsion system consisting of diesel main engines directly driving the propeller. To enhance energy efficiency and optimize fuel consumption and carbon reduction, the vessel underwent a retrofit installation of a shaft generator system. The upgrade involved installing CSSC SETH's innovative 700kW half-half type PM shaft generator, which significantly improves the ship's energy efficiency. This modification ensures compliance with the latest EEXI regulations and enhances the vessel's CII rating.
The entire shaft retrofit project is an EPC (Design + Equipment + Construction + Commissioning and Delivery) general contracting project with CSSC SETH assuming full responsibility for the entire process - from initial 3D scanning of the engine room and technical feasibility studies, through system design and retrofit planning, to onsite installation, commissioning, and final sea trials.
The shaft retrofit involved installing a new set of shaft generator, shaft VFD, a set of isolation transformer, and the modifications to the main switchboard for generator integration. The whole process involved a construction procedures and tight deadlines. SETH successfully overcame these challenges by coordinating all upstream and downstream suppliers, maintaining proactive communication with the ship owner, and closely aligning with the vessel's overall technical upgrade schedule. Through these efforts, the team completed the retrofit project on schedule, ensuring the vessel was fully prepared to resume operations.
According to the data from the ship owner, the successful technological transformation of the "Yue Dian 53" vessel will bring significant economic and environmental benefits. The energy-saving efficiency of “Yue Dian 53” will be increased by approximately 7.5%. It is estimated that the retrofit will reduce daily fuel consumption by 1.5-2 tons during navigation, generating annual fuel savings exceeding 1.5 million yuan. This will significantly reduce operating cost and enhance the profitability of the ship. At the same time, it will significantly reduce carbon emissions and pollutant discharges (including sulfur oxides), ensuring compliance with the latest EEXI regulations and improving the vessel's CII rating. The CII rating is expected to be upgraded from the current Class D (2024) to Class C, potentially even Class B, significantly enhancing the vessel's market competitiveness. In addition, the application of energy-saving technologies will further optimize the vessel's propulsion system, extending equipment service life while effectively reducing maintenance costs.
CSSC SETH's shaft generator retrofit technical solution has earned strong recognition from ship owners for its three key advantages: "cost-effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and professional retrofitting." It has become the preferred choice for existing vessels to improve CII ratings and meet EEXI requirements. Currently, CSSC SETH’s shaft retrofit technical solution has proven successfully in multiple vessel retrofit projects, delivering exceptional performance results. This solution has established itself as an optimal pathway for existing vessels to transition towards greener shipping operations.
