Two Major Orders for Wartsila

34 slow streaming upgrade kits & 80 main engines for bunkering tankers

Wartsila Wins Order for 34 Sets of Slow Steaming Upgrade Kits from A.P. Moller

Slow steaming has become a recognized means of operating in order to reduce fuel consumption. These cost savings can be further enhanced through the fitting of the Wärtsilä Slow Steaming Upgrade Kit, which enhances the benefit of running at continuous low load.

Wärtsilä, the marine industry's leading ship power systems integrator, has signed a major contract with the A.P. Moller Maersk Group (APMM), one of the world's largest shipping companies. The order covers the installation of Wärtsilä Slow Steaming Upgrade Kits to 34 more of the company's large container vessels, following the successful installation and testing on one of the fleet's sister vessels in late 2009.

The 34 ships to be fitted with Slow Steaming Upgrade Kits are powered by Wärtsilä RT-flex96C and RTA96C main engines with 10, 11 and 12 cylinders. Applied to the Wärtsilä low-speed main engines, the Upgrade Kits will produce major savings in the ships' fuel consumption while also cutting CO2 emissions. The Upgrade Kits will be fitted by Wärtsilä as fully engineered solutions, with the company supplying all necessary material, labor, ship-specific engineering and full project management.

It is anticipated that as a result of installing the Wärtsilä Slow Steaming Upgrade Kits, these vessels will achieve fuel savings of between 3% and 7% with the engine running at low load. These savings are in addition to those attained through reducing speed to slow steaming operation.

"During recent years we have been continuously looking into solutions that improve the overall fuel efficiency and emissions of our vessels. As operators and charterers of the world's largest container ships fleet, we soon recognized the savings potential of optimizing ship speed, and we have been a forerunner in the wide implementation of slow and super slow steaming as a means for substantial fuel consumption and emissions reduction. The Wärtsilä Slow Steaming Upgrade Kit provides us with a solution for further fuel savings, while maintaining the necessary full operational flexibility of the ships. The contract for the Upgrade Kits is an important decision for us," says Mr Palle Laursen, Vice President, Maersk Line.

Major fuel cost savings
The fuel savings are achieved by cutting out one of the engine's turbochargers at engine loads of less than about 60% (this figure is valid for engines with three turbochargers), thereby providing greater scavenge air pressure for better combustion and optimal engine component temperatures. This cut out is controlled and fully automated.

In addition to the fuel savings, this Wärtsilä solution provides full flexibility - with unrestricted operation from 10% to 100% load. The engine is not permanently derated, but retains full flexibility so that it can be operated at any time up to its full installed power for full sea speed. It also decreases the risk of engine fouling and excessive component temperatures.

The Upgrade Kit involves fitting shut-off valves in the engine's exhaust duct before the turbocharger turbine, and in the scavenge air duct after the compressor. The valves are remotely operated by a control system included in the upgrade kit.

Customized for emissions compliance
The Upgrade Kit is available for most Wärtsilä RTA and RT-flex engines with multiple turbochargers. The achievable Break Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) figures are strongly dependent on the final NOX emission balances over the whole load range. For ships that must comply with the IMO NOX emissions regulations, the restrictions imposed by the emissions limits will be evaluated in each case and a customized turnkey package is then offered.

Since its introduction in 2009, Wärtsilä has received orders for Slow Steaming Upgrade Kits for 47 vessels. The Upgrade Kits have already been installed in numerous vessels, with excellent results. A typical example is that of a larger container vessel, powered by a 12-cylinder Wärtsilä RTA96C with a 60,000 kW continuous rating output. On a roundtrip from Northern Europe to China and back, which takes 8 weeks at a ship speed of 24 knots, the total main engine fuel savings for the roundtrip are in excess of 2900 tons sailing at 20 knots. With the Upgrade Kit installed, the additional savings amount to 210 tons, which corresponds to approximately USD 95,000 in additional savings on one roundtrip. At the same time, the CO2 emissions will be reduced by more than 9000 tons thanks to the reduced speed, and by an additional 650 tons using the Slow Steaming Upgrade Kit.

Slow steaming has become an established means of operating vessels, particularly for container ships. Driven by over-capacity in the market and by the necessity to cut fuel costs, ship owners and charterers have had to adjust their services and the sailing speed of their ships. Important industry players see this as a continuing trend with container line operators. The benefits are obvious as slow steaming provides substantial reductions in fuel consumption and significant savings in overall operating costs.

More information about the Wärtsilä Slow Steaming Upgrade Kits is available online or click here to view the brochure.

Wärtsilä confirms major order from Chinese oil tanker operator

Wärtsilä will supply 80 main engines for bunkering tankers. In terms of the number of engines, this represents one of the largest-ever orders received by Wärtsilä Ship Power. Reliability and Wärtsilä's global service support network were cited as being the key factors in the award of this contract.

Wärtsilä, the marine industry's leading ship power systems integrator, is to supply the main engines for 40 new bunkering tankers being built for the Brightoil Petroleum Group (BPG), China. In terms of the number of engines, this is one of the largest-ever orders received by Wärtsilä Ship Power. It has a total value of more than EUR 23 million. This order for a total of 80 Wärtsilä 20 engines has been included in the order book already earlier but is clear to be published only now. BPG has recently signed the contract for the 10 first bunkering tankers with a shipyard in Zhejiang, China. These vessels will be launched in June 2012.

BPG is a listed company in Hong Kong, licensed by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China for specialised business in the petroleum industry. The company has ordered a total of 40 bunkering tankers, each to be powered by two 6-cylinder in-line Wärtsilä 20 medium-speed engines. Delivery of the first 10 engines is scheduled to take place between December 2010 and June 2011. Wärtsilä has also signed an 8-year spare parts and technical services agreement with BPG for all 80 engines.

"Wärtsilä has a fine reputation for both quality and reliability, and is able to support its customers and ship power solutions with a truly global service network. We are, therefore, very pleased to co-operate with Wärtsilä in this major project," said Mr. Tan Bo, Vice President of BPG.

The bunkering tankers will be of two sizes, 4100 dwt and 7000 dwt, and both designs have the same power configuration utilizing a twin-screw propulsion solution. Some of the vessels will operate in Chinese waters and will be CCS classified. The remainder will trade in international waters and be classified by Bureau Veritas (BV). BPG will itself operate the vessels.

The Wärtsilä 20 medium-speed engine offers a remarkable combination of state-of-the-art design and top-class performance in a compact, space-saving package. Launched in 1992, its' almost pipe-free, operator-friendly, and heavy duty design initiated a new era in the development of medium-speed engines. Unmatched in its power range, the Wärtsilä 20 was originally designed to operate reliably with even the poorest quality heavy fuel (HFO), making it the ultimate in reliable performance using light diesel oils.

Overhaul intervals of up to 24,000 hours and maintenance-friendly design are just some of the features that have resulted in the Wärtsilä 20 achieving an installed base of more than 2000 engines.

"In addition to its reliable and proven heavy fuel technology, the Wärtsilä 20's low operating costs and low NOx emissions were important elements in winning this unique order," said Wim Knoester, Deputy General Manager, Ship Power, Wärtsilä in China.

"Other factors include our worldwide 24/7 service network, Wärtsilä's excellent reputation as a supplier of propulsion solutions, and the fact that vessels equipped with Wärtsilä engines hold their value well. We are looking forward to a long and successful partnership with BPG."