Two new marine geological research vessels under construction in China will feature a broad scope of Wärtsilä engines and propulsion equipment. Wärtsilä has maintained a leading position in China for supplying propulsion solutions to research vessels. Since 2011, more than 70% of the research vessels built in Chinese yards have been fitted with Wärtsilä products. These latest contracts were placed with Wärtsilä in September.
The new vessels are being built at the Shanghai shipyard of CSSC (China State Shipbuilding Corporation) and the COSCO shipyard in Guangdong, on behalf of the Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology and the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey respectively. Wärtsilä’s strong track record and extensive experience in providing propulsion solutions to these types of ships were cited as being key considerations in the award of these contracts.
The first vessel for the Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology has a length of 79.8 metres and a deadweight of 4400 tons. For this ship Wärtsilä will supply four 9-cylinder and one 4-cylinder in-line Wärtsilä 20 engines, two transverse thrusters and two sets of Wärtsilä Enviroguard Seals and Bearings. Delivery to the yard is scheduled for July 2016.
The second vessel for Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey has a length of 75.8 metres and its deadweight is 3300 tons. This ship will be powered by three 6-cylinder in-line Wärtsilä 26 engines, one 4-cylinder in-line Wärtsilä 20 engine, two WST-21 thrusters and two WTT-11 transverse thrusters. Equipment deliveries will commence in spring 2016. The Wärtsilä WTT-11 and WST-21 thrusters ordered for this vessel represent the latest developments in this technology.
Research vessels typically have different operating modes, thus requiring the propulsion machinery to have sufficient operational flexibility. Wärtsilä has been able to demonstrate that its solutions meet this requirement. Furthermore, in order to make optimal use of the propulsion, Wärtsilä also supports the research Institutes by providing hydrodynamic model testing.
“We at Wärtsilä are proud to have once again been selected to provide the propulsion equipment for these important research vessels. Our reputation for providing reliable and efficient propulsion solutions that are compact in size, fuel efficient, and environmentally friendly has given us a leading position in this market in China. We also give added value through having the industry’s most complete global service network to provide fast and efficient support wherever the vessels may be,” says Hans Laheij, Sales Director, Middle East & Asia, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.
Both vessels are expected to be delivered to the owners in 2017.
Welcome to visit Wärtsilä at stand No N2H31 at this year’s Marintec exhibition in Shanghai, 1-4 December.
Links to related pages on wartsila.com:
The Wärtsilä 20 engine
The Wärtsilä 26 engine
Wärtsilä Transverse Thrusters
Wärtsilä Steerable Thrusters
Wärtsilä Seals & Bearings
Link to image
Caption: The new marine geological research vessels under construction in China will feature a broad scope of Wärtsilä engines and propulsion equipment.
Media contacts:
Mr Hans Laheij
Sales Director, Middle East & Asia
Wärtsilä Marine Solutions
Tel: +86 21 58585500-831
hans.laheij@wartsila.com
Ms Marit Holmlund-Sund
Senior Manager Marketing, Communications, Marine Solutions
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel: +358 10 709 1439
marit.holmlund-sund@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 maximizes the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers.
In 2014, Wärtsilä's net sales totalled EUR 4.8 billion with approximately 17,700 employees. The company has operations in more than 200 locations in nearly 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.
www.wartsila.com