Marine Propulsion News

R.W. Fernstrum & Company, founded by Robert W. Fernstrum 75 years ago, is a quintessential U.S. manufacturing story. The company was born in the aftermath of WWII, founded on an invention developed during the war by Robert Fernstrum to help solve an engine overheating problem that was plaguing U.S. Navy landing craft. Family owned and operated from day one, today the company includes a fourth generation of family that aims to continue the legacy of its founder, a legacy built on effective…

Wärtsilä introduced the NextDF feature for the Wärtsilä 25DF dual-fuel engine, which means while operating on liquefied natural gas (LNG), the NextDF feature reduces methane emissions to less than two percent of fuel use across all load points, achieving as low as 1.1 percent in a wide load range. What’s more, the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are lower than on the standard Wärtsilä 25DF engine which already has low emission levels below IMO Tier III.Launched in 2022, the Wärtsilä 25 engine platform offers a modular…

Schottel won an order to supply azimuthing thrusters for four new escort tugs for Seattle-based Saltchuk Marine, the beginning of the renewal of the Saltchuk fleet for operations on the US West Coast, Hawaii, and Alaska.To be built by Eastern Shipbuilding, the vessels are a RApport 2600 design by Canadian naval architect Robert Allan and will measure 25.6 x 12.8m with a 5.5-m draft. Accommodation will be provided for eight persons, and they will be operated by Foss Maritime.Each tug will be equipped with two azimuthing Schottel RudderPropellers of the type SRP 510 each.

WinGD introduced an option for its X-DF-A ammonia-fuelled engines to be delivered capable of running on liquified petroleum gas (LPG), a ‘pre-fit’ solution that could be of interest to vessels under construction for the anticipated global trade in ammonia, which will also be capable of transporting LPG.Named X-DF-P for the propane that is LPG’s primary component, the solution will be released to enable first engine deliveries in 2027, when operators are likely to be considering in detail their anticipated balance between the LPG and ammonia trades.

Austart launched the ATS203 Engine Air Starters. Designed to meet the demands of marine, industrial, and oil & gas applications, the ATS203 Engine Air Starters are engineered to provide unmatched starting power for diesel and gas engines. Key features include:High Power-to-Weight Ratio: Ensures efficient starting of large engines with minimal air consumption.Durable Construction: Built to withstand harsh environments, including mining, marine, oil and gas, and power generation sectors.Maintenance-Free Operation: The ATS203 features a lubrication-free design…

CM Technologies (CMT) added a fuel injection acoustic emission sensor to its PREMET X range of two- and four-stroke diesel engine performance indicators, allowing engineers to monitor the acoustic signature of a diesel engine’s fuel injection system to detect any problems with fuel injectors, nozzles, and pumps.“Atomization and fuel injection timing are the most important variables in the combustion process, correlating directly with the amount of fuel consumed and carbon emitted.

Being built by China Merchants Heavy Industry Haimen (CMHI) for Jan De Nul Group and scheduled for delivery in 2026, the Fleeming Jenkin is touted to become the world's largest Cable-Laying Vessel (CLV). Main propulsion for the Fleeming Jenkin will come from four Steerprop azimuth thrusters, enhanced by three tunnel thrusters and two retractable. An additional full main thruster and extensive spares package will also be supplied as part of the contract with Steerprop. In addition to the Fleeming Jenkin…

WinGD reports it has successfully completed type approval and factory acceptance testing for its X52-S2.0 engine, bringing a new option to shipowners in need of compact, medium-bore two-stroke engines. The tests at Yuchai Marine Power Co (YCMP) confirmed the engine’s performance and compliance.The X S series succeeds the RT flex50 and RT flex58 engines and is available in 52cm and 62cm bore sizes, with confirmed orders already for diesel, LNG and methanol configurations and an ammonia fuel option under development.

Rolls-Royce has been selected to supply the world’s first twin MT30-powered hybrid electro-mechanical propulsion arrangement to power Japan’s Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV), a Japanese destroyer program.The OEM says the unique power density of the MT30 GT will ensure ship performance is not compromised and will meet the top ship speed requirements associated with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyers.Other benefits marine gas turbine technology include ultra-low on-board maintenance compared to legacy engines…

CIMAC welcomes Charlotte Røjgaard, Bureau Veritas, as a new Board member. She will act as Vice President Working Groups. Røjgaard succeeds Marko Dekena who recently decided to leave the CIMAC Board after many years in various roles.Røjgaard is the Global Marine Fuels Director at Bureau Veritas. She holds a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark and an executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics from Copenhagen Business School. She has already been an active member in CIMAC Working Groups for most of her career.

There is hydrodynamic solution that delivers multiple benefits for ship owners facing increasingly tough regulatory requirements and rising operational costs, writes Dr. Batuhan Aktas*One area of ship operations that has attracted much attention in recent years due to the possibilities it represents for emissions reduction is that of cavitation. During ship operations, cavitation occurs because of vortices that build up and cause bubbles to collapse under the ship’s propeller. The results of this process include increased noise, vibration and energy usage.

Castoldi launched the latest in a new range of hydrodynamically optimized waterjets; the Turbodrive 400 HCT.With a 400 mm jet housing, hydraulic gearbox/clutch and high thrust efficiency, the Turbodrive 400 HCT was designed using  Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software.The development of the new family of Castoldi HCT waterjets started 12 years ago and according to Giacomo Castoldi, owner at Castoldi S.r.l. “Thanks to the very latest developments in fluid dynamics, the new Turbodrive 400 HCT is around 12% more efficient than the outgoing model and is perfectly interchangeable with it.

Wärtsilä has introduced a new high-performance thruster and propulsion control solution, which is said to raise the level of offshore dynamic positioning for greater efficiency and operational performance of vessels.The company’s new high-performance thruster and propulsion control solution package utilizes a combination of Wärtsilä’s WST-E embedded electric steerable thruster and WST-R retractable thrusters, together with an updated remote propulsion control system featuring an enhanced user interface ProTouch…

More than 700 experts from all over the world attended over 200 presentations given during the CIMAC Congress in 2023. Now, the call for papers for the CIMAC Congress 2025 to take place from May 19-23, 2025, in Zurich has been launched. The organizers of this 31st CIMAC World Congress invite everyone to submit proposals in the fields of power, drives, and propulsion technology.The topic streams are “digitalization”, “towards net zero”, “engine optimization & retrofits”, “basic research and advanced engineering” and “operators perspective”. “For the 2023 congress, we received almost 800 abstracts”, said Jonas Åkermann, one of the two Vice-Presidents Technical Program, “and for 2025, we expect a similarly high number. About 200 will be approved for full presentations.

Damen Naval has contracted RENK to supply the gearbox systems for the new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates.The Dutch shipyard is building four new frigates, two each for the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Belgian navy.The contract includes eight gearboxes that are part of the CODLAD (COmbined Diesel-eLectric And Diesel) propulsion system.RENK's Dutch subsidiary Schelde Gears will provide support in design and service activities.The first gearboxes are due to arrive for installation in October 2025…

GE Vernova’s Power Conversion business was awarded a contract by Singapore shipbuilder ST Engineering Marine Limited to supply its Ship’s Electric Grid with Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) equipment for the Republic of Singapore Navy’s six-ship Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) program.The six MRCVs will be the first IFEP-powered vessels for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and will replace its fleet of mechanical drive Victory-class missile corvettes, which have been in service since 1989. Delivery of the electric propulsion systems for the new ships is planned over the next 10 years.GE Vernova’s Ship’s Electric Grid includes all generators…

Norwegian firm Brunvoll has been selected as a supplier of the propulsion and maneuvering system for one of Esvagt’s new offshore wind service operation vessels (SOV).Esvagt’s new SOV will be controlled by Brunvoll’s propulsion and thruster control system, BruCon PTC.The vessel will be outfitted with two azimuth propulsion thrusters, two retractable azimuth thrusters, and a tunnel thruster.Once completed, the new vessel will enter operation for Vestas on the Hollandse Kust West VI wind farm in the North Sea. The wind farm will feature 54 wind turbines and can deliver 760 MW.

Maritime systems supplier Brunvoll has signed a contract with Simon Møkster Shipping to deliver upgrades for Stril Mermaid and Stril Mariner vessels.In addition to replacing the existing DP2 systems for the two vessels, Brunvoll will also replace the current propulsion and thruster control systems, as well as the independent joystick system.The systems will be replaced with Brunvoll's BruCon DP2, BruCon PTC (Propulsion & Thruster Control), and BruCon JS.This will ensure even better…

MAN Energy Solutions has announced the production of a massive Cluster 5 Double Layer Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) converter to MITSUI E&S.The cluster comes ammonia-ready and is the largest such unit that the company has ever built.Such systems are typically used aboard cruise ships and cargo ships to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 90%.“As the very first SCR for an ammonia engine anywhere in the world, this is a historic moment. As the largest, high-pressure SCR we have ever built, this marks a new milestone for our business.

Corvus Energy has developed a DNV-accepted method for data-driven state of health (SOH) testing.SOH tests for marine battery systems are mandatory and give an overall assessment of the condition, performance and safety of the batteries over time. These tests help determine the battery's capacity, efficiency and remaining life. Using data-driven approaches in these tests enhances accuracy and efficiency in monitoring and maintaining marine battery systems. In addition, the test…

Seaspan Shipyards, Canada’s long-term shipbuilding partner for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and Royal Canadian Navy, has awarded ABB a contract to deliver an integrated propulsion system for the first of the CCG’s new-generation polar class icebreakers.The vessel is expected to be one of the world’s largest and most powerful diesel-electric icebreaker when it enters service in 2030, with ABB supplying vessel systems complying with IACS Polar Class 2 requirements for year-round…

It might be easy to blame EALs, but the ongoing causes of stern tube damage are varied, and possibly declining.Environmentally Acceptable lubricants (EALs) gained market traction with the introduction of US VGP regulations in 2013. Since then, DNV has observed two major trends. The first, starting in 2013 was early life damage, either during sea trials or within the first five years of operation, where aft stern tube bearings typically failed under extreme load conditions. Then from around 2018…

ABB has secured an order from Norwegian shipyard Ulstein Verft to supply an advanced power and propulsion system for a new cable-laying vessel (CLV) being built for Nexans.Upon delivery in 2026, the vessel will join Nexans Skagerrak and sister ship Nexans Aurora – also equipped with ABB technology – as the third and most advanced CLV in the Nexans fleet.An integrated system comprising main power generation and distribution, energy storage, and electric propulsion will allow the new CLV to execute its cable laying…