Wärtsilä in Stolt Tankers propulsion deal

The package includes Wärtsilä RT-flex50 2-stroke engines linked to controllable pitch propellers, with tunnel gearbox and shaft generator, and oily water separators, to be delivered to the yard in the summer of 2014.

The tankers, each 38,000dwt 185m in length, will be capable of transporting 44,000 cu m of chemical cargoes, with IMO I, II and III capabilities for the handling of hazardous cargoes. "These ships have been designed to deliver substantial improvements in fuel efficiency, and are expected to consume significantly less fuel compared with existing parcel tankers," said Niels Stolt-Nielsen, ceo of Stolt-Nielsen.

The delivery of engine and shaft generator at the same time enables Wärtsilä  to co-ordinate engine and propulsion controls. Aaron Bresnahan, vp of sales at Wärtsilä Ship Power said: “The owners and the yard have specified the highest possible efficiency to keep fuel costs down with the lowest possible pressure pulses to safeguard a high comfort level on board for the crew, and Wärtsilä has consistently demonstrated its ability to meet this demand.”

The first tanker is slated for delivery in December 2015.