CIMAC Circle 2010 at SMM in Hamburg, Germany

Held on 9 September at SMM, more than 150 delegates attended this year's CIMAC Circle, covering the total cost of ownership of marine propulsion engines. Inevitably, the panel of engine builders, engine (vessel) operators and engine system and component makers were strongly influenced by the effects on engine first costs and engine running costs of the upcoming IMO Tier II and Tier III emissions regulations, due in 2011 and 2015 respectively. 

As Dr. Udo Schlemmer-Kelling of Caterpillar Motoren noted in the title of his lively presentation: IMO III is knocking at our door. The levels of emissions reduction prescribed by IMO Tier III for vessels operating in Emissions Control Areas clearly come at a price, and at the CIMAC Circle each speaker presented his own standpoint on the financial effects of emissions compliance. Reflecting their holistic approach to cost reduction, the engine operators stressed the cost effects of electronic engine management versus mechanical governing, reduced engine speed, efficient onboard power generation, overall vessel design and the cost of both lubricating and fuel oil consumption. 

The engine builders’ and component supplier’s main emphases were the costs  - but equally the cost saving potential  - of emissions reduction hardware, as well as efforts to reduce fuel consumption, wear and  maintenance.

Echoing a speech at the CIMAC Congress opening ceremony, an interesting aspect of the presentations from both builders and users with regard to fuel costs and low emissions, was reference to gas engines, including spark-ignited gas engines. They were seen as a means of both achieving IMO Tier III and exploiting a fuel currently cheaper than HFO. As at every CIMAC circle, a lively panel discussion followed the presentations.

Representing the engine industry on the panel were Chairman Søren H. Jensen and Stig Baungaard Jakobsen of MAN Diesel & Turbo, Denmark, Dr. Schlemmer-Kelling of Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG, Germany and Rolf Vestergren of Wärtsilä Corporation, Finland. Speakers on behalf of ship operators were Lars Erik Egeberg of BW Gas, Norway, Kobune Goto of NYK Line, Japan, Stavros Hatzigrigoris of Maran Tankers Management Inc., Greece, and Ole Graa Jakobsen of Maersk A/S, Denmark. Christoph Rofka of ABB Turbo Systems Ltd., Switzerland, represented engine systems and components.

Their presentations can be downloaded at: http://www.cimac.com/congress_events/Index1-events.htm