Upgraded Wärtsilä RT-flex68-D successfully te...

Wärtsilä Corporation, Trade & Technical Press release, 7 March 2011

The  first upgraded Wärtsilä RT-flex68-D engine equipped with a Variable Turbine
Geometry  (VTG) turbocharger was successfully tested  at Doosan Engine Co Ltd in
South   Korea.   It   is   fully   compliant  with  the  International  Maritime
Organization's (IMO) Tier II regulations.

The engine has a slimmer outline to better suit installation requirements for
container ships. Moreover, the engine provides extended flexibility over a
broader load range when equipped with a VTG turbocharger. The tested engine is
the first of eight for installation in eight ships for a Chinese owner at a
Chinese shipyard. The engine has a contracted maximum continuous power of
21,910 kW at 95 rpm.

The main objective in upgrading this particular engine has been to reduce the
width of the engine to suit container ships with hulls having fine afterbody
lines. This is achieved primarily by introducing a simplified supply unit and a
new design for the scavenge air receiver, as well as RT-flex components. This
offers also improved engine maintenance. The greater commonality of parts with
other engine types reduces both component costs and the spares inventory.
Components were also made more manufacturing-friendly. In implementing these
modifications, there has been no compromise on safety and reliability.

First Wärtsilä low speed engine to be equipped with VTG

The RT-flex electronic control system, in combination with the VTG turbocharger,
enables more efficient operation and a better brake specific fuel consumption
(BSFC) over an extended load range. Thus, the engine complies with the latest
IMO Tier II emission regulations, whilst having at the same time highly
competitive fuel consumption.

"With this development, Wärtsilä is able to offer a technological solution for
lowering emission levels from marine engines, whilst at the same time offering a
cost effective product. This is in line with our efforts to enhance sustainable
shipping, and we see great demand for it in the current market," says Mr Anders
Eklund, Director, Product Engineering in Product Centre 2-stroke, Wärtsilä
Industrial Operations.

Incorporating the latest electronically-controlled common-rail technology for
fuel injection and valve actuation, Wärtsilä RT-flex marine low-speed engines
bring direct benefits to ship owners. The technology provides great flexibility
in engine setting for lower fuel consumption, lower minimum running speeds,
smokeless operation at all running speeds, and better control of other exhaust
emissions.

The world's merchant fleet represents almost 80 per cent of all the vessels
ordered each year. Of these, 85 per cent will be powered by two-stroke engines.
Wärtsilä low-speed two-stroke marine diesel engines offer high overall cost
efficiency with direct drive of propellers. They represent the optimum in prime
movers for the propulsion of all kinds of merchant vessels.


For further information, please contact:

Mr Martin Wernli
President
Wärtsilä Switzerland Ltd.
Direct Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]


Ms Tuula Franck
Senior Manager, Media and Stakeholder Relations
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel: +358 400 267 555
[e-mail]


Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine
and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total
efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the
vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2010, Wärtsilä's net sales
totalled EUR 4.6 billion with more than 17,500 employees. The company has
operations in 160 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed
on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.
www.wartsila.com






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