Wärtsilä 46F marine engine
Wärtsilä 46F marine engines

Economical fuel flexibility with exceptional power-to-weight and power-to-space ratios.

Get the facts: open the leaflet

Adopt alternative fuels at your own pace with Wärtsilä 46F marine engines

The Wärtsilä 46F is a four-stroke medium-speed engine series. These engines are ideal for many ship types because they offer the widest fuel flexibility in their power range, which is between 7.5 MW and 20 MW at 600 rpm. The engines are available in 6L to 16V-cylinder configurations. Choose Wärtsilä 46F when you want efficient and reliable performance for a demanding marine application.

The Wärtsilä 46F engines are available in these fuel versions:

  • Diesel: HFO - LFO - liquid biofuel
  • Dual-fuel: LNG - LFO - HFO - liquid biofuel
  • Methanol-ready: MeOH - HFO - LFO - liquid biofuel
  • Methanol: MeOH - HFO - LFO - liquid biofuel

All versions are suitable for both constant-speed diesel-electric operation and direct drive main engine propulsion.

Who is Wärtsilä 46F for?

The Wärtsilä 46F is your best choice when you are looking for the fastest possible uptake of alternative fuels as soon as this becomes viable for you. More than 18 years of operational history and 7,200,000 running hours are proof of its reliability and maximum uptime. Because the Wärtsilä 46F is flexible and cost-effective in operation, it works brilliantly for applications with high power needs. Such applications include the following, for example:

  • Large ferries
  • Ro-ro vessels
  • Dredgers
Wartsila-46F-marine-engines

Key benefits of the Wärtsilä 46F engines

Will adapt to alternative fuels 
The Wärtsilä 46F engine series is flexible and can run on many types of fuel, from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to more sustainable alternatives such as bio-LNG and methanol. Because it is flexible, it can adapt to changing regulatory requirements without significant modifications. It is operationally viable for the long term with lower cost of conversion.

Reliable with maximal uptime 
The following figures prove that Wärtsilä 46F is rock-solid reliable:

  • Over 18 years of operational history
  • More than 300 engines sold
  • 7,200,000 running hours

The engines have extended overhaul intervals, which means better greater availability - and money saved. The modular design with fewer components cuts inventory costs, maintenance, and crew training time. 

Cuts emissions and complies with regulations
The engines are designed to meet stringent environmental regulations. IMO Tier III compliance is ensured with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system in diesel and methanol modes whereas the dual-fuel engine in gas mode is readily IMO Tier III compliant. Because the engines’ thermal efficiency ensures complete combustion which minimises exhaust gas emissions. Their noise levels are reduced. Methanol certifications speed up the adoption of green fuels, which further improves regulatory compliance.

Efficient, with high power density
The series delivers exceptional fuel economy with best-in-class power-to-weight and power-to-space ratios. 

Delivers high performance consistently
Delivers 100% of the engine's load – also in methanol mode, providing 1250 kW per cylinder. Achieves high-power output without compromising efficiency or reliability.

One platform, four engines

The Wärtsilä 46F engine series are based on a common platform. This allows ship owners and operators to decide their own pace of decarbonisation. The platform design leverages our extensive experience with the original Wärtsilä 46F engine since 2007 and with methanol as marine fuel since 2015. There are four engine versions for tailored pathways to a low-carbon future.

  • Wärtsilä 46F diesel engine for conventional fuels including HFO. Can be converted to run on alternative fuels.
  • Wärtsilä 46DF dual-fuel engine optimised for natural gas. Using natural gas as fuel cuts total greenhouse gas emissions. This engine can also run on conventional fuels.
  • Wärtsilä 46F methanol-ready engine. Traditional diesel engine with readiness to easily convert to use methanol.
  • Wärtsilä 46F Methanol engine. Start using green methanol from day one and enjoy the proven performance of the popular engine. This engine can also run on conventional fuels.

Wärtsilä 46F and Wärtsilä 46DF Product guides and 3D models and drawings

Get technical data and system proposals for designing Wärtsilä 46F and Wärtsilä 46DF marine engine installations.

Wärtsilä 46F

Adopting methanol as marine fuel

If you are considering a switch to low-carbon fuel, methanol is an attractive option. Green methanol has the potential to be carbon free, and it meets current and future emissions targets in terms of NOx, SOx and particulates.

Read more about Methanol as marine fuel

Customer stories

Discover the benefits others have already gained from Wärtsilä 46F engines.

Hand-picked press releases

Wärtsilä to deliver power and electrical solutions for Australian RoRo newbuild

Mar 9, 2022, 10:30 by Wärtsilä Corporation

The technology group Wärtsilä will supply main and auxiliary engines, fuel storage tanks, gas handling equipment and electrical systems for a new RoRo being built for Australian operator SeaRoad Shipping. The orders with Wärtsilä were placed in Q1 2022.

The 210 metre-long vessel is under construction at the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) shipyard in Germany. The vessel will operate primarily on LNG fuel. Wärtsilä’s depth of experience and in-house know-how on LNG systems was a major consideration in the award of the contract.

The vessel will be powered by two Wärtsilä 46DF dual-fuel main engines and three Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel auxiliary engines. The Fuel Gas Handling System and LNG tanks are designed with the Gas Valve Units (GVUs) integrated into the tank connection space. This solution is unique to Wärtsilä and reduces the amount of piping needed, facilitating easier installation.

Wärtsilä will deliver almost every electrical system on board. This includes bridge consoles with integrated navigation, redundant dual-gyro compass systems, nautical sensors, external communication systems, power take-in and take-out (PTI/PTO) shaft alternators with multi-drive technology, monitoring and control systems, switchboards, internal communication, and safety systems as well as lighting.

Wärtsilä will design and integrate the entire electrical package, as well as delivering the cable network. The integration project continues a successful partnership between FSG and Wärtsilä in this area lasting more than 25 years.

“We recognise Wärtsilä’s strong capabilities in LNG-related technologies, as well as their capabilities in electrical systems, and these solutions are an excellent fit for this vessel,” says Philip Maracke, CEO, FSG. “We thank Wärtsilä for its excellent support and cooperation during the various phases of this project.”

Matthias Becker, General Manager Sales, Wärtsilä Marine Power, says, “We have enjoyed a very positive relationship with both the yard and the owners throughout this project. SeaRoad is committed to sustainable practices, and this very much aligns with our own commitment to the decarbonisation of shipping operations. The solutions selected for this vessel promote these ambitions.”

Electrical installation will commence in this year, whilst the bulk of Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard during the first half of 2023; the ship is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. The vessel will have 3,987 lane metres for various freight units and will sail on Bass Strait, between Melbourne, Victoria and Devonport on the Australian island state of Tasmania.

Media contact for more information on this release:

Gavin Lipsith
Communications Manager, Positioning
Wärtsilä Marine Power
Tel: +44 788 473 7177
gavin.lipsith@wartsila.com

Image caption: Wärtsilä will deliver LNG fuel equipment and electrical systems for a new RoRo being built for Australian operator SeaRoad Shipping © Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft

All Wärtsilä releases are available at https://www.wartsila.com/media/news-releases and at http://news.cision.com/wartsila-corporation where also the images can be downloaded.

Wärtsilä Marine Power in brief
Wärtsilä Marine Power leads the industry in its journey towards a decarbonised and sustainable future. Our broad portfolio of engines, propulsion systems, hybrid technology, and integrated powertrain systems delivers the efficiency, reliability, safety, and environmental performance needed to support our customers. Our offering includes performance-based agreements, lifecycle solutions, and an unrivalled global network of maritime expertise.
www.wartsila.com/marine

Wärtsilä in brief:
Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve their environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,000 professionals in more than 200 locations in 68 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2021, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 4.8 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com

Take advantage of Wärtsilä’s unique expertise. Get in touch and let’s discuss your needs! 

Wärtsilä Marine. Let's connect.