Wärtsilä introduces new thruster aimed at river and inland waterway vessel applications

Wärtsilä Corporation, Trade press release 21 September 2015 at 10:30 UTC+2
  • WST_14

Wärtsilä introduces the latest addition to its thruster product portfolio, the Wärtsilä WST-14 steerable thruster, which represents state-of-the-art azimuthing propeller technology. It is aimed primarily at inland waterway cargo vessel applications. The new thruster will provide increased reliability and efficiency, while also lowering costs.

Among the many innovations incorporated into the WST-14 are its space-saving compact design, an integrated slipping clutch that provides a cost competitive solution for manoeuvring when combined with a fixed pitch (FP) propeller, and the ability to maintain and service the propeller shaft and steering seals without requiring a complete overhaul of the thruster. It has a straightforward, reliable design and is ice-class rated.

By combining the 6-cylinder in-line Wärtsilä 20 engine with the WST-14 thruster, a solution package that is ideal for the specific demands of river and inland waterway operation can be offered. It also suits other marine applications, such as tugs, where manoeuvring in harbours and/or ice conditions is required.  Compared to conventional fixed pitch (FP) and controllable pitch (CP) propeller drive line solutions, the WST-14 thruster enables a greater load capacity for the vessel. This offers increased revenues for the owner/operator since more cargo can be transported.

“This project began two years ago and we are delighted to announce that the WST-14 is now available to the market. This introduction fills a particular need in the inland waterway vessel sector, and it is already attracting interest from owners and yards in Asia, Europe and America. Wärtsilä is now able to offer a complete and highly efficient propulsion package for this specific market,” says Arto Lehtinen, Vice President, Propulsion, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

The WST-14 will be featured at the Neva exhibition to be held in St.Petersburg, Russia from 22 to 25 September 2015.

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Caption: The new Wärtsilä WST-14 thruster

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Caption: The WST-14 thruster and Wärtsilä 20 engine together represent an efficient propulsion package for river-going vessels.

Media contacts:

Mr Maikel Arts
Business Sales Manager, Propulsion
Tel:  +31 6 1370 6392
maikel.arts@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