Wärtsilä supplies Wuhu Shipyard and Siem Offshore

The technology group Wärtsilä will supply a comprehensive package of propulsion machinery for a new asphalt carrier vessel being built at the Wuhu Shipyard in China for Canadian operator McAsphalt Marine Transportation, thus emphasising the strong relationship between Wärtsilä and Wuhu. Both parties are committed to working on the research and development of green energy solutions in the shipbuilding field.

“Our long and successful track record with the Wuhu yard speaks for itself. We appreciate the trust that the yard has in Wärtsilä’s extensive portfolio of propulsion solutions, and we are pleased and proud to have been again selected for this project,” says Östen Lindell, Sales Director, Wärtsilä Marine Power.

The 11,700 m³ asphalt carrier vessel will operate with two Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engines, as well as Wärtsilä controllable pitch propellers (Cpp), gearboxes, Energopac rudders and a Wärtsilä transverse thruster. The dual-fuel engines selected emphasise the vessel’s design focus on environmental sustainability, while the Energopac rudder solution is a proven fuel-saving technology for controllable and fixed pitch propeller applications. It features advanced hydrodynamic technology and outstanding vessel manoeuvrability, as well as improved onboard comfort levels compared to conventional propeller and rudder configurations.

Wärtsilä will also upgrade the ‘Siem Pride’, an 89 metre-long Platform Supply Vessel owned by Norway based Siem Offshore Rederi, for hybrid engine and battery propulsion. The upgrade will enable the vessel to reduce the number of engines in use during operations, thereby considerably lowering its energy and fuel consumption. Central to the conversion will be the Wärtsilä HY Module, which is a containerised solution on the deck of the vessel. Its latest-generation energy management system, which acts as the overall brain for the system, creates a high level of interaction with the ship’s other onboard systems. The installation will be connected to the existing 690 volt main switchboard. The engines in operation may run at up to 95 percent maximum continuous rating (Mcr) without risk of overloading or black-outs.

For the upgrade, Wärtsilä will supply the hybrid drive, the energy management system, the transformer, batteries, and the switchboard modification. The dynamic-positioning system will also be upgraded, while the ship design will be modified for the new arrangement. A deck house containing the equipment will also be installed. The vessel currently operates with two Wärtsilä 34DF and two Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engines, as well as a complete Wärtsilä electrical package, including the integrated automation and power management systems, and the company’s Low Loss Concept power distribution system which features higher efficiency, lower weight and volume, and high system redundancy.