Making smarter choices about your vessel’s propulsion system can increase safety and reliability as well as reduce lifecycle costs. But what do you need to know to make the best decisions for your vessel, and what should you look for when you are weighing up your options?
The right propulsion system matters because it directly affects a vessel’s fuel consumption, emissions compliance and manoeuvrability – as well as its ability to operate efficiently across different conditions.
The optimal propulsion system for your vessel will:
The propulsion configuration also governs your vessel’s manoeuvrability, which influences port performance, safety margins and its suitability for specific operating environments.
Because propulsion systems also determine maintenance regimes and spare parts logistics, early design choices affect reliability, uptime and the ability to adapt to future regulations or alternative fuels. Once a propulsion system is installed, making changes to it can be expensive and disruptive. Choosing the right propulsion system is one of the most important decisions you will make during your vessel’s lifetime. Want to move straight to making the right decision? Download the Insider’s guide to ship propulsion: 8 tips to help you make the right choices.
You’ll choose the right propulsion system by evaluating real-world operating profiles, total cost of ownership and lifecycle support – not by relying on brochure specifications.
Making good propulsion choices is about far more than simply analysing the specifications provided in brochures or technical data sheets. While these sources of information can tell you about important metrics like power, fuel efficiency and maximum speeds, they don't capture the complexities of real-world operations.
While data from equipment manufacturers may look similar at first, when you look closer there can be big differences in what’s being measured – or in what’s being left out. To find the right information, you need to know the right questions to ask.
In practice, a vessel’s performance is influenced by numerous factors such as sea conditions, cargo, weather and operational schedules. Real-world operational profiles take these variables into account, helping you identify the best propulsion system to handle diverse demands.
To optimise fuel consumption, reduce maintenance costs and enhance overall efficiency, you need to understand how your vessel will be used in the real world.
There are several key areas you should think about when choosing a propulsion system for your newbuild vessel or retrofit project. With the right knowledge, you’ll be better able to compare options, avoid common pitfalls and make smarter decisions that support your vessel’s performance and efficiency over its entire lifecycle.
Here are three expert tips to help you get started when choosing a propulsion system.
The total cost of ownership matters because the cost of fuel, emissions, maintenance and downtime over a vessel’s lifetime will far outweigh your initial investment.
When selecting propulsion equipment, it can be tempting to focus solely on the lowest upfront price. But in reality, considering the total cost of ownership (TCO) is far more effective than choosing the cheapest option at the outset.
Ship designers, shipyards and vessel owners and operators all have different priorities when it comes to costs. Considering TCO helps to get all these different stakeholders on the same page, focused on long-term performance and value.
A propulsion solution that is durable, fuel efficient and backed by long-term support might appear more expensive up front, but it will bring you significant savings over time. These savings come from:
By taking TCO into account early in the vessel design phase, you can make decisions that prioritise reliability, performance and profitability throughout your vessel’s entire lifecycle.
A propulsion system is a long-term investment. Taking a long-term, lifecycle approach to servicing and support helps ensure consistent performance, reliability and efficiency over time.
The lifecycle of a propulsion system extends far beyond installation. It includes operation, maintenance, upgrades and eventually replacement. But how do you compare lifecycle support between suppliers?
Here’s what to look for:
With lifecycle support from an experienced partner, your propulsion system stays aligned with evolving regulations, efficiency targets and operational demands. The result is improved reliability and lower total cost of ownership.
Expert help is essential because optimising a vessel’s performance is a holistic process where all aspects of design and operation must be considered. If you only think about individual systems and components you’ll miss the performance gains to be made from ensuring that systems and components work optimally together.
Propulsors, hull design and control systems all influence propulsion efficiency. Energy-saving devices like advanced hull coatings or efficiency-enhancing rudder devices add further complexity. Getting expert support early in the design phase of your newbuild or retrofit project can help you choose a propulsion system that works with your whole vessel – resulting in optimal efficiency and performance.
Additionally, maintenance and upgrade strategies should be tailored to your vessel to ensure that it operates efficiently throughout its lifetime. Again, this is where an expert partner can help you achieve the biggest gains.
Choosing the right propulsion system for your newbuild vessel or retrofit project is a high-impact decision that will affect your vessel’s efficiency, reliability and regulatory readiness for decades. The three tips above will help you make the right decision, but they are just the start. Wärtsilä has the know-how to help you develop a propulsion solution that stays efficient, safe, cost effective and reliable over your vessel’s entire lifecycle.
The first step is simple – download the Insider's guide to ship propulsion: 8 tips to help you make the right choices, a handy guide packed full of practical advice to help you choose your propulsion system wisely and avoid costly – and common – mistakes. Download the Insider’s guide to propulsion now.
There are three important factors to consider when choosing a propulsion system: total cost of ownership, long-term lifecycle support and how to optimise your vessel as a whole.
The best-value propulsion system will be the one with the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO), which includes fuel efficiency, emissions compliance, maintenance and long-term reliability. TCO is far more important than the initial price.
Real-world operating data is important when choosing propulsion because brochure data rarely reflects sea conditions, cargo profiles or operational patterns that determine true performance.
The best time to choose your propulsion system is early in the design phase of your project: getting expert help will ensure optimal performance, efficiency and reliability.
For a deeper dive into choosing a propulsion system, download the Insider's guide to ship propulsion: 8 tips to help you make the right choices.
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