Wärtsilä engines will power the world’s largest ore carriers, 12 ships which have been contracted by a Brazilian shipowner. This is the biggest order for Wärtsilä RT-flex82T low-speed engines, which is one of four new engine types introduced by Wärtsilä.
The RT-flex common-rail technology brings direct benefits to ship owners in terms of great flexibility in engine setting for lower fuel consumption, lower minimum running speeds, smokeless operation at all running speeds, and better control of other exhaust emissions. The RT-flex common-rail technology will also play a key role in meeting the need for tighter emissions control under the forthcoming IMO regulations.
The ore carriers will be built by Rongsheng Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries of China. Each vessel will have a 7-cylinder Wärtsilä RT-flex82T low-speed engine with a contracted maximum continuous power of 29,400 kW at 76 rpm. The first of the ships is due for delivery in early 2011 and the twelve ships are expected to be completed in 2012.
The twelve engines will be built by Hefei RongAn Power Machinery Co Ltd (RPM) of Hefei, Anhui, China under licence from Wärtsilä.
Both Rongsheng Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries and Hefei RongAn Power Machinery Co Ltd are members of Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries Group Co Ltd (RSHI). The licence agreement between Wärtsilä and RSHI for the manufacture of Wärtsilä low-speed engines was announced in March this year.
New engine type
The Wärtsilä RT-flex82T engine is one of four new engine types introduced by Wärtsilä, all of 820 mm cylinder bore. It combines the benefits of both the electronically-controlled RT-flex common-rail system and up-to-date parameters to deliver optimum propulsion plants for ships such as these very large ore carriers (VLOC).
Largest dry bulk carriers ever built
The vessels, with each having capacity of 400,000 dwt, will be the largest dry bulk cargo carriers ever built, and will be employed on a shuttle service carrying iron ore to East Asia. The ships will contribute to reducing the cost of long-haul maritime transportation of the iron ore to steelmakers.
For further information on Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries Group Co Ltd (RSHI) see press release of 20 March 2008:
Wärtsilä and RSHI Group sign licence agreement for manufacturing low-speed marine engines in China
For further information, please 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 Corporation in brief:
Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is achieved by the dedication of more than 18,000 professionals manning 160 Wärtsilä locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on The Nordic Exchange in Helsinki, Finland.
