The finnish engine manufacturer Wärtsilä has launched a new medium speed engine[ds_preview] during Nor-Shipping 2015 in Oslo. »The Wärtsilä 31 has significantly reduced maintenance requirements, while raising fuel efficiency, fuel flexibility, and operational optimization to totally new levels that are far beyond anything else currently available«, the company said. The fuel consumption efficiency in its diesel version is said to be as low as 165 g/kWh.
The engine is designed to serve a variety of vessel types requiring main engine propulsion in the 4.2 to 9.8 MW power range. »In the offshore sector, the Wärtsilä 31 is ideally suited for AHTS’s, OSV’s, drilling and semi-submersible vessels, where the requirements are for operational flexibility, high power density, long intervals between overhauls, and high levels of safety. Similarly, in the cruise and ferry sector the Wärtsilä 31 enables owners and operators to trim fuel expenses. Within the merchant fleet, the Wärtsilä 31 is designed for applications as a main engine for small to medium tankers, bulk carriers and container vessels«, it was said. The product comes in three alternative versions; Diesel, Dual-Fuel (DF) and Spark-Ignited Gas (SG).
The increases in fuel efficiency and fuel flexibility are matched by »significant reductions« in maintenance costs. Among the features are latest developments in fuel injection systems, engine control systems, and charge air technologies. During a ceremony in Oslo, the engine achieved a Guinness World Records title for the most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine.
