Wärtsilä launches large-bore engine

Wärtsilä said its new 46TS-DF engine has the highest efficiency thus far achieved in the medium-speed engine market when in gas fuel mode.

The company said the new engine offers a future-proof solution for owners and operators to reach decarbonization targets. The Wärtsilä 46TS-DF has a two-stage turbocharging to deliver high levels of efficiency and power density across a wide operational range for vessels in all segments of the industry. This level of efficiency reduces fuel consumption and lowers emissions, while being easily retrofittable for future carbon-neutral and carbon-free fuels as they become widely available, the company said.

“The maritime sector is having to adapt to the transitional effects caused by the need to meet decarbonisation goals within a relatively short period of time,” said Stefan Nysjö, vice president, Power Supply, Wärtsilä Marine Power. “This new engine launch provides an important boost towards achieving those goals. It delivers the power to change by setting a new benchmark for greater sustainability through high efficiency, emissions performance, and fuel flexibility.”

Development of the Wärtsilä 46TS-DF engine has been based on the extensive experience gained from the company’s Wärtsilä 46, 46F, and 50 engine families. It is available in 6 to 16-cylinder configurations, corresponding to a power output range of 7.8 to 20.8 MW at 600 rpm. It has an intrinsically modular design, which simplifies upgradability and modifications for alternative future fuels, the company said. It has a bore and stroke of 460 X 580 mm.

The company said the 46TS-DF is suitable for a broad range of vessel types and applications – for example as a main propulsion engine in diesel-electric, mechanical and hybrid installations. The engine can be optimized to run either at constant speed or along a propeller curve.

The solution is suitable for cruise and ferry operators that are exploring ways to minimize fuel expenses while maximizing environmental performance. For merchant vessels, the Wärtsilä 46TS can be used as a main engine onboard medium to large gas tankers, bulk carriers, container ships and special vessels such as dredgers.

The dual-fuel Wärtsilä 46TS-DF engine can run LNG, which dramatically reduces air pollutants as well as offering a viable platform for further decarbonization through the use of bio- or synthetic methane in the future.

The first order for this engine type was placed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique for Royal Caribbean Cruises in April 2021. The engines will be installed on their latest Oasis class ship ‘Utopia of the Seas’. The ship is being built by the shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique and will feature six Wärtsilä 46TS-DF engines with Gas Valve Units, NOx Reducer SCR systems, LNGPac and Transverse Thrusters.

“Cutting-edge efficiency and leading environmental performance are crucial factors when designing our new ships,” said Harri Kulovaara, EVP Newbuilding and Innovation, Royal Caribbean Group. “We were delighted to work with Wärtsilä – as well as with the shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique - from an early stage in development to make sure these engines are the ideal fit to power the latest addition to our fleet while advancing our sustainability journey.”