Wärtsilä and classification society RINA have announced a novel propulsion arrangement touting full redundancy, lower capex, reduced operational complexity, and optimised fuel consumption to lower costs and achieve emissions compliance
The Wärtsilä/RINA arrangement uses two, four-stroke dual-fuel engines, with options for electric power back-up from batteries or a small dual fuel generator when the ship is idle. The system features Wärtsilä 31DF engines operating with LNG fuel.
Wärtstilä believes the design can help reduce up to 50% from the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) reference level value, and assist in immediate compliance with IMO’s 2030 targets.
At current shipping speeds, the system performance of the new arrangement provides at least the same, or better efficiency than an equivalent 2-stroke design. At slower speeds, it has the potential to reduce fuel consumption and emissions levels even further.
Wärtsilä Marine Power director, product management and sales support, Lars Anderson said the project with RINA will help increase efficiencies and drive down operating costs adding, “We see this propulsion arrangement as being an important and value-adding option for the coming generation of newbuilds.”
“We are really excited about this new concept as it represents a proven and more efficient solution than was earlier possible. The combination of fewer running components and 100 % redundancy, with a single engine capable of handling both propulsion and electric power even in port, promotes both safety and reliability. The highly efficient Wärtsilä 31DF engine enables shipowners to reduce fuel costs, while at the same time being proactively prepared for the fuels of the future,” said RINA Greece marine technical director Antonis Trakakis.
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