Kuwait contracts Wärtsilä for retrofits to improve tanker fuel efficiency

The Wärtsilä retrofit is based on two-stroke engine optimisation technology for selected Wärtsilä RT-flex and earlier deliveries of X-type two-stroke engines. The four KOTC VLCCs to be retrofitted operate with 7-cylinder Wärtsilä RT-flex82T two-stroke main engines.

Wärtsilä said an increased compression ratio and modified injector nozzles combined with optimised engine tuning parameters will allow for fuel savings of up to 4% without significantly increasing NOx emissions.

Wärtsilä Marine area sales general manager Middle East and Asia, 2-stroke and specialised services, Riad Belaid said the modification would also help reduce operating expenses.

The pilot installation showed around 10-12 tonnes per day lower fuel consumption than a sister vessel operating the same route, and resulted in 1,195 tonnes of fuel savings over the nine-month pilot period.

KOTC acting chief executive Ali Shehab said “By modifying the main engines of these carriers, we are assured of operating with the latest technology and having the best operational efficiency.”

In 2019, Wärtsilä installed the company’s intelligent control and fuel activated sacless technology upgrades on the same four vessels.
KOTC’s current order with Wärtsilä was placed in Q1 2020. The vessels will be retrofitted over the next six months.

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