Elomatic, an international consulting and engineering company, and technology group Wärtsilä, have signed a licensing and cooperation agreement covering the intellectual property rights, technology, and use of trademark of Elomatic’s unique Elogrid solution. Elogrid is a transverse thruster grid technology, which is designed to reduce vessels’ fuel consumption while also enhancing thrusters’ performance.
This technology improves both the water flow along the hull lines once a vessel is sailing as well as the water flow into the tunnel when the thrusters are in use. This unleashes full thruster capacity more efficiently, with minimized noise and vibration. The signing took place in December 2024.
Elogrid was first developed between 2020 and 2021 and has since evolved to achieve even greater levels of performance. This solution has been proven to reduce fuel consumption by 1-2% per thruster tunnel, depending on speed. This is achieved by reducing flow entry into the bow thruster tunnels at cruising speeds, which also helps to provide further reductions in associated vibrations, mitigating the vessels’ impact on the marine environment.
Rami Hirsimäki, Senior Vice President Marine, Elomatic, said: “Wärtsilä and Elomatic have a long cooperation history around various technologies, and we are delighted to continue this partnership. Wärtsilä is a respected global player in the marine industry and will help expand market reach for Elogrid. Together, our companies can more effectively bring this innovative solution to the market and support decarbonisation efforts of the global vessel fleet.”
Under the terms of this agreement Wärtsilä will have the rights to sell, manufacture, install, and maintain the licensed technology within the sales areas included in the agreement. The licensing and cooperation agreement will be in effect for 12 years with intermediate check points. During this time, the solution will be offered to Wärtsilä’s customers as ‘ELOGRID™ by Wärtsilä’. When combining Elomatic’s Elogrid with Wärtsilä’s thrusters, the hydrodynamic competencies of both companies are brought together into a single offering. All Elogrids by Wärtsilä are patented and designed by Elomatic to deliver optimal vessel performance for operators.
Lauri Tiainen, Director Thruster and Propulsion Control Systems, Wärtsilä Marine, comments: “Together with Wärtsilä’s expertise in transverse thruster technology, we hope this collaboration will open market opportunities for Elogrid. Owners and operators are having to face increasing operational costs and, at the same time, comply with ever more stringent environmental regulations. By saving fuel and increasing efficiency, both of which reduce emissions, the Elogrid solution can support Wärtsilä’s customers with addressing these challenges.”
The Elogrid technology is suitable for most vessel types fitted with transverse thrusters. However, optimal benefits are gained by vessels with relatively large thrusters, and which sail at moderate or higher speeds. In addition to enhanced thruster performance, some vessels, such as cruise ships and ferries, benefit from increased passenger and crew comfort thanks to the reduced noise and vibration levels, made possible by Elogrid.