Wärtsilä was selected to supply the prime movers for the IEP plant for two Auxiliary Oilers ordered by the Ministry of Defence for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), UK. The large fleet tanker ships were built by BAE Systems and commissioned in 2002 and 2003. These fast fleet tankers are able to operate in support of amphibious forces, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare operations and protection of vital sea areas and shipping.

Wärtsilä solution
The engines selected are Wärtsilä Vasa 32 Low NOX ‘E’. Each vessel has four 12V and one 4R prime movers providing 21 MW of installed power. Wärtsilä’s Electronic Documentation (ELDOC) and Fault Avoidance Knowledge System (FAKS) are included in the installation to help the Royal Fleet Auxiliary maximize availability by adopting a concept of flexible surveys and to reduce through-life cost.

196.5 m length overall and 31,500 tons full load displacement, RFAs Wave Knight and Wave Ruler have a top speed of over 18 knots from two independent synchronous, variable-speed propulsion motors mounted on a single shaft.