Since the beginning of this year, stricter IMO regulations have come into force. This also puts pressure manufacturers of marine engines, that have to adapt to these rules by developing engines corresponding to the new conditions
On the engine market a few changes have occurred in the past twelve months. Some of the very powerful engines[ds_preview] are no longer being produced. The reason for that is that these engines were originally developed for use under extreme loads. But nowadays, in times of slow steaming, there is no demand anymore for engines in such performance classes.
Minimizing the bunker costs remains still one of the most important factors for shipping companies. Therefore the demand for more efficient engines, which have a lower consumption and which are easier to maintain, is growing. Another key factor are environmental restrictions, while also weight reduction is still an important issue same as noise reduction and vibration dumping.
Manufacturers must comply with the wishes of the customers and have to develop appropriate products. So dual-fuel engines gain importance. The recently launched Wärtsilä 31 engine has achieved a Guinness World Records title for being the most efficient four-stroke diesel engine in the world. The listing is based on the Wärtsilä 31 engine’s highest fuel efficiency levels, with its diesel fuel consumption being as low as 165g/kWh. This figure is far lower than for any other four-stroke diesel engine currently available on the market, it is said.
The engine is designed to serve various types of vessels in the offshore, cruise and ferry sectors, and other marine segments where the power range requirement reaches from 4.2 to 9.8 MW. The engine can be operated using a range of different fuels, and comes in three alternative versions: Diesel, Dual-Fuel (DF) and Spark-Ignited Gas (SG). The multi-fuel capabilities, the Wärtsilä 31 brings to the market, extend the possibilities for operators to utilise different qualities of fuels, from very light to very heavy diesel, and a range of different qualities of gas.
Besides new world records and high performance engines, the market remains challenging for the diffenrent manufacturers. Wärtsilä’s Ship Power business, just renamed Marine Solutions, in response to the sluggish global marine market situation, plans to »realign its organisation, operations and resources«. These plans will affect personnel in all functions of Wärtsilä Marine Solutions’ global operations meaning Wärtsilä will cut approximately 600 jobs, of which some 160 will be in Finland. A portion of the reductions will be realised through retirements, the company stated.
Initiative for more efficient shipping
A major cross-industry initiative led by Wärtsilä, MAN Diesel & Turbo and Winterthur Gas & Diesel, to develop basic technologies for use in two- and four-stroke marine engines, has been officially launched.
»The Hercules-2 project is aimed at fostering environmentally sustainable and more efficient shipping. It is in line with general European Union policy and is partly funded by the European Union«, the partners said in a statement.
Alltogether, 32 marine industry partners from eleven different companies, 16 universities, and five research organisations are cooperating in this project, with NTU Athens acting as coordinator.
The research and development efforts focus on four main areas. These are the application of alternative fuels and the optimisation of fuel flexibility, to facilitate seamless switching between different fuels; the development of new materials to support high-temperature component applications; the development of adaptive control methodologies to significantly improve an engine’s performance throughout its life span; and to achieve near-zero emissions via combined, integrated, after-treatment of exhaust gases.
The Hercules-2 project is scheduled to run for three years. It represents the follow-up phase of the Hercules R&D programme for large engine technologies, which was originally conceived in 2004 by Wärtsilä and MAN Diesel & Turbo.
Dual-fuel engines are gaining importance, but speaking of a real breakthrough of this technology would still be too early. Manufacturers are providing high priority to these subjects but the development of engines with the subsequent extensive tests take a certain amount of time.
On the following pages HANSA International Maritime Journal gives an overview of marine diesel and gas engines.
TWG
