Wärtsilä’s Sulzer RT-flex60C Completes Test

The first Sulzer RT-flex60C low-speed marine engine has completed its official shop test in the Trieste factory in Italy of Wärtsilä Corporation. The Sulzer RT-flex60C is the first low-speed marine engine type designed from the beginning to incorporate electronically-controlled common-rail systems for fuel injection and valve actuation. The seven-cylinder Sulzer RT-flex60C engine was first started on 15 September 2002, and completed its official shop test on October 14. The official shop test was witnessed by representatives of the shipowner, shipbuilder and classification society. All the tests with the engine were completed without difficulty. The engine ran very satisfactorily with all test results coming up to expectations. The new engine will be installed in the first of two 13,200 tdw containerizd reefer ships being built at Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo in Portugal. The ships have been contracted by the Agricultural Export Co (Agrexco) through Münchmeyer, Petersen GmbH & Co KG in Hamburg. Their Sulzer 7RT-flex60C engines have a maximum continuous output of 16,520 kW (22,470 bhp) at 114 rev/min. The first RT-flex60C engine has been built by Wärtsilä's Trieste factory in Italy. Its manufacture followed the usual course for the first of a new engine type, but with particular care owing to the incorporation of the new RT-flex technology.