Wärtsilä will supply 80 main engines for bunkering tankers. In terms of the number of engines, this represents one of the largest-ever orders received by Wärtsilä Ship Power. Reliability and Wärtsilä’s global service support network were cited as being the key factors in the award of this contract.
Wärtsilä, the marine industry’s leading ship power systems integrator, is to supply the main engines for 40 new bunkering tankers being built for the Brightoil Petroleum Group (BPG), China. In terms of the number of engines, this is one of the largest-ever orders received by Wärtsilä Ship Power. It has a total value of more than EUR 23 million. This order for a total of 80 Wärtsilä 20 engines has been included in the order book already earlier but is clear to be published only now. BPG has recently signed the contract for the 10 first bunkering tankers with a shipyard in Zhejiang, China. These vessels will be launched in June 2012.
BPG is a listed company in Hong Kong, licensed by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China for specialised business in the petroleum industry. The company has ordered a total of 40 bunkering tankers, each to be powered by two 6-cylinder in-line Wärtsilä 20 medium-speed engines. Delivery of the first 10 engines is scheduled to take place between December 2010 and June 2011. Wärtsilä has also signed an 8-year spare parts and technical services agreement with BPG for all 80 engines.
“Wärtsilä has a fine reputation for both quality and reliability, and is able to support its customers and ship power solutions with a truly global service network. We are, therefore, very pleased to co-operate with Wärtsilä in this major project,” said Mr. Tang Bo, Vice President of BPG.
The bunkering tankers will be of two sizes, 4100 dwt and 7000 dwt, and both designs have the same power configuration utilizing a twin-screw propulsion solution. Some of the vessels will operate in Chinese waters and will be CCS classified. The remainder will trade in international waters and be classified by Bureau Veritas (BV). BPG will itself operate the vessels.
The Wärtsilä 20 medium-speed engine offers a remarkable combination of state-of-the-art design and top-class performance in a compact, space-saving package. Launched in 1992, its’ almost pipe-free, operator-friendly, and heavy duty design initiated a new era in the development of medium-speed engines. Unmatched in its power range, the Wärtsilä 20 was originally designed to operate reliably with even the poorest quality heavy fuel (HFO), making it the ultimate in reliable performance using light diesel oils.
Overhaul intervals of up to 24,000 hours and maintenance-friendly design are just some of the features that have resulted in the Wärtsilä 20 achieving an installed base of more than 2000 engines.
“In addition to its reliable and proven heavy fuel technology, the Wärtsilä 20’s low operating costs and low NOx emissions were important elements in winning this unique order,” said Wim Knoester, Deputy General Manager, Ship Power, Wärtsilä in China.
“Other factors include our worldwide 24/7 service network, Wärtsilä’s excellent reputation as a supplier of propulsion solutions, and the fact that vessels equipped with Wärtsilä engines hold their value well. We are looking forward to a long and successful partnership with BPG.”
Media contact:
Ms Marit Holmlund-Sund
Senior Manager, PR and Marketing Communications
Wärtsilä Corporation
Direct tel: +358 10 709 1439
Direct fax: +358 10 709 1425
e-mail: marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com
Internet: www.wartsila.com
Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers.
In 2009, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 5.3 billion with more than 18,000 employees. The company has operations in 160 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland. www.wartsila.com
Brightoil Petroleum Group (BPG) in brief
The Brightoil Petroleum Group launched its oil business in 1992 and is now the largest private petroleum company in the Pearl River Delta area, China. BPG has assets totalling some RMB 10 billion, an annual sales income exceeding RMB 20 billion, and employs more than 1000 people.
Activities include sales, storage, wharf terminal loading and unloading, marine bunkering, land and marine transportation, free-trade-zone storage of oil and petrochemicals and petroleum exploration and production operations, as well as retail supply and bunkering services. The BPG Group also owns and runs southern China’s largest free-trade-zone depot for petroleum products.
