Quiet Running

Wärtsilä will supply an “ultra-silent” propulsion package for a new research vessel to be built for the Faroe Islands Marine Research Institute, a Faroese governmental organization.

The package was developed through Wärtsilä’s in-house competences in diesel generator sets, propeller shaft lines, and electrical and automation (E&A) systems. The vessel is being built at the MEST shipyard in the Faroes. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in June 2017.

The ability to create a propulsion solution that significantly limits underwater radiated noise (URN) and which meets the DNV Silent R notation, was a key factor in the award of this contract, Wärtsilä said. By enabling the vessel to sail with very little URN, the Wärtsilä solution will facilitate the ability of the research personnel onboard to carry out their tasks with greater effectiveness.

“It is a reflection on Wärtsilä’s extensive resources in both equipment and in-house technical know-how that we are able to meet the customer’s need for an ultra-silent vessel. This broad range of competencies enables us to serve our customers better, and gives Wärtsilä a distinct competitive edge,” said Simon Riddle, general manager, Naval & Research Vessels, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions

The 54-m ship will be powered by two 8-cylinder Wärtsilä 20 engines and will have a Wartsila fixed-pitch propeller and complete shaft line. The solution is very compact, which results in reduced acoustic signals, the company said. The engine has a bore and stroke of 200 X 280 mm and achieves 1600 kW.

Wärtsilä will also supply a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to clean the engine exhaust of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

The research vessel is scheduled to commence operations in mid-2020, and will be used to help provide a basis for the responsible exploitation of the marine resources around the Faroe Islands.