Reliable solutions for special vessels

Working in harsh environments and extreme temperatures, long operational hours, and constantly running the equipment at maximum power until the job gets done. These are all design parameters that Wärtsilä incorporates into its solutions, which is why our automation, engines and propulsion systems are a perfect fit for the dredger market.

From the earliest times of diesel engines, Wärtsilä engines have been installed in special vessels, such as dredgers. Today, Wärtsilä power solutions continue to be the choice for dredgers built by the world’s leading yards. Our technical expertise is complemented by our open-minded approach to what dredging companies need and want.

The most valued business partner

Wärtsilä strives to be the most valued business partner of its customers, and its solutions are aimed at maximizing total earnings during the complete lifecycle of the vessel.

Solutions based on the vessel’s mission profile

Our solutions cover direct pump drive, diesel electric, or smart combinations of both, and include electrical and automation systems. In co-operation with our customers, we select the best option based on the mission profile, the optimal hopper area, the dredge pump and cutter power, and the required sailing/trailing speed. In so doing, we ensure energy efficiency for the entire vessel, the lowest operational costs, and maximized earnings.

Specific products for the dredging industry

Drawing on its years of experience, Wärtsilä conceives specifically adapted products, such as the Sandguard 3AS-D seal, for the dredging industry. This high-tech seal prevents both lubricating oil leakage outboard, and seawater ingress inboard, by supplying an outflow of air and fresh water, thus minimizing the wear of the rubber sealing rings. 

Wärtsilä provides integrated solutions that are environmentally and economically sound from both Ship Design and Ship Power, and co-operates with other specialized industries in order to achieve the best possible result for the customer.

Fishing vessels operate in remote areas and along hostile coastlines, and require reliable, no-nonsense installations. Wärtsilä has developed a wide range of solutions for these demanding conditions, including integrated mechanical propulsion system products, and propulsion packages. To ensure maximum efficiency, reliability, and environmental performance throughout the entire lifecycle of the installation, Wärtsilä’s solutions are customized to meet specific ship design and operational requirements.

Unique fishing vessels

Based on more than 40 years’ experience, we design unique fishing vessels that meet the requirements of our customers. Wärtsilä Ship Design creates vessels for the fishing industry with an emphasis on low fuel consumption, optimized hulls, and flexibility. In close co-operation with our customers, we produce customized integrated solutions for all sectors of the fishing industry. Our extensive fishing reference list includes more than 250 different fishing vessel designs.

Environmentally and economically sound solutions

Our solutions are designed to be the most efficient in terms of fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. At the same time, the Wärtsilä Ship Machinery Comparison and Optimization programme (ShipMaC) enables us to calculate both the capital and operational costs of each part of the system, and to optimize the levels of annual expenditure. This, together with our Operations and Maintenance services, is a prime reason for Wärtsilä being such a valuable long-term partner to its customers.
 

Wärtsilä provides integrated solutions that are environmentally and economically sound from both Ship Design and Ship Power, and co-operates with other specialized industries in order to achieve the best possible result for the customer.

Wärtsilä has supplied propellers and generating sets to many of the world’s best known research vessels, including the CEFAS Endeavour, the IFREMER Pourquoi Pas, the IMR G.O. SARS., the MARINE INSTITUTE’s Celtic Explorer, the NERC James Cook, and the CHILEAN NAVY’s Cabo de Hornos.

Sophisticated ship design

Research vessels carry out various tasks, which may or may not be combined into a single vessel. Hence the occasional need to have one dedicated vessel for each specific task. The demanding nature, and the challenging conditions in which these ships work, provides Wärtsilä with an opportunity to create innovative and job-specific solutions. Wärtsilä Ship Design has a wealth of experience in the creation of such customized designs.

Silent propellers

Research vessels have often to be capable of levels of operational silence never achieved before, and significantly below the ICES 209 curve. Wärtsilä makes this possible by avoiding the noise normally created by cavitation or pressure pulses, and is the leading provider of propeller designs that meet these requirements.

State-of-the-art generating set engineering

The machinery is also a contributor to underwater radiated noise. Wärtsilä has extensive experience in delivering generating sets featuring specific arrangements to efficiently reduce noise and vibration from the engine room. These operational achievements contribute significantly to the success of the research work onboard.  

The marine industry is increasingly turning to more advanced solutions as the cost of available technology decreases, and its reliability is substantiated. The environmental and economic viability of these complex solutions typically results from an integrated approach, encompassing vessel design, equipment selection, and on-site support for the shipyard and owner.

At Wärtsilä, we believe that upcoming emissions regulations require the re-design of many existing vessel types. This is especially true of vessels operating in the proximity of large population centres, as is the case with tugs in ports.

Integrated solution benefits

An integrated approach means a single contact point for project management and installation, a one-stop shop for all aspects of lifecycle support, and optimized overall performance that incorporates substantial energy savings. As all the systems are engineered to work together, their compatibility and functionality is guaranteed. Risks associated with technical issues and time schedules are minimized.

W TUG

The W TUG project is another Wärtsilä initiative, and represents a new concept for tugs. It brings together the company’s Ship Design and Ship Power expertise, and is aimed at producing a tug capable of complying with future environmental and commercial requirements. Our approach is to be the single point of contact during the design, building, and operational phases, thus providing the W TUG customer assurance that this advanced vessel solution is supported at every stage of its lifecycle.

W TUG 80 hybrid

The final configuration applied for the W TUG 80 hybrid has both mechanical and electrical power trains. The hybrid solution results from the analysis of many different configurations. It achieves an efficiency improvement of just over 10%, compared to a conventional twin medium-speed engine tug, by optimizing all parts of the integrated system.

Benefits of the W TUG 80 hybrid

• Energy: A reduction of running hours per engine, reduced maintenance, and a higher degree of redundancy.
• Efficiency: Annual fuel savings of 9-10% at 2000 hours/ year (including the harbour generating set), and batteries expected to provide further gains at an acceptable (environmental) cost.
• Environment: A reduction of overall fuel consumption results in 10% fewer CO2 emissions, 12% fewer NOx emissions, 10% fewer particle emissions, and reduced SOx emissions.

 

In this emerging industry, Wärtsilä applies its wealth of experience to produce innovative and efficient designs, and propulsion systems that ensure environmentally and economically sound, as well as reliable and safe operation in all weather conditions.

Global energy and emissions concerns are driving governments around the world to increasingly support the new offshore wind industry. This development has significant implications for the marine industry, and adjustment is taking place in the traditional shipping and shipbuilding industries, and especially the offshore sector.

Combined innovative efforts from the offshore wind value chain

It is not the innovativeness of wind turbine designers alone that is creating the conditions for this impressive growth in offshore wind harnessing activities. Rather, it is the combined innovative efforts by designers in all sectors of the offshore wind value chain.

Tailored solutions from Wärtsilä Ship Design

It all starts with Wärtsilä Ship Design, which successfully creates tailored solutions to meet specific applications. These include wind turbine installation vessels, customized feeder vessels supplying components, as well as the various vessels required to operate and maintain offshore wind farms.

Energy efficient solutions with low operational costs

Wärtsilä Ship Power focuses on optimizing the cost of the propulsion system throughout the entire lifecycle of the vessel. The mechanical configuration always takes into consideration the vessel’s operational profile, and the power requirements of the jacking system and cranes onboard. According to the mission profile of the vessel, Wärtsilä offers an energy efficient solution for the entire vessel at the lowest operational cost.