Three Sulzer 9RT-flex60C low-speed diesel engines have been ordered by the German shipbuilder Volkswerft Stralsund GmbH for installation in three 2100 TEU container ships contracted there by Safmarine, part of the the Danish group A.P. Møller. The ships are due for delivery in 2004.
These nine-cylinder engines will each have a maximum continuous power output of 21,240 kW at 114 rev/min. They will be built under license from Wärtsilä Corporation by HSD Engine Co Ltd in Korea.
Developed by Wärtsilä Corporation, Sulzer RT-flex engines are the first low-speed engines to have electronically-controlled common-rail systems for fuel injection and valve actuation. This gives unrivalled flexibility in the way the engines operate, to deliver benefits such as lower exhaust emissions, lower fuel consumption at part load, and better manoeuvring ability.
Sulzer RT-flex engines are attracting increasing interest from shipowners. The above orders bring the total number of these engines in service and on order to 13, amounting to an aggregate power of 209,590 kW. The first series-built RT-flex production engine in service is the Sulzer 6RT-flex58T-B in the bulk carrier “Gypsum Centennial” which began operation in September 2001. In addition to the three Sulzer 9RT-flex60C engines mentioned above, there are six Sulzer 7RT-flex60C engines, another Sulzer 6RT-flex58T-B engine and two Sulzer 5RT-flex58T-B engines on order.
Marit Holmlund-Sund
Public Relations Manager, Marine Division
Wärtsilä Corporation
Direct tel: +358 10 709 1941
Direct fax: +358 10 709 1942
e-mail:marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com
Internet: www.wartsila.com
