Case Study: BAE Systems powers the Matthew Turner with Cummins hybrid propulsion

Launching A Traditional Ship with a Contemporary Heart

BAE Systems partnered with Cummins to equip the Matthew Turner, a traditional brigantine being built by Call of the Sea, with an efficient auxiliary propulsion system. The challenge was to preserve the ship’s classic sailing character while adding modern power for propulsion, hotel loads, and onboard operations in a way that reduced fuel use and emissions.

Cummins supplied a pair of QSB6.7 diesel engines rated at 301 HP each as part of BAE Systems’ HybriGen® hybrid system, which combines diesel generation, Li-ion battery storage, and electric propulsion. The result is a power-on-demand setup that automatically chooses the most efficient energy source, can regenerate electricity while sailing, and supports both electric propulsion and hotel loads; the ship launched in April 2017 and was moving toward sea trials later that year.

BAE Systems

David Adamiak

BAE Systems