Two new marine geological research vessels under construction in China will feature Wärtsilä engines and propulsion equipment.
The new vessels are being built at the Shanghai shipyard of CSSC (China State Shipbuilding Corporation) and the COSCO shipyard in Guangdong, on behalf of the Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology and the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey respectively.
The first vessel for the Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology has a length of 79.8 metres and a deadweight of 4400 tons. For this ship Wärtsilä will supply four 9-cylinder and one 4-cylinder in-line Wärtsilä 20 engines, two transverse thrusters and two sets of Wärtsilä Enviroguard Seals and Bearings. Delivery to the yard is scheduled for July 2016.
The second vessel for Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey has a length of 75.8 metres and its deadweight is 3300 tons. This ship will be powered by three 6-cylinder in-line Wärtsilä 26 engines, one 4-cylinder in-line Wärtsilä 20 engine, two WST-21 thrusters and two WTT-11 transverse thrusters. Equipment deliveries will start in spring 2016.
“We at Wärtsilä are proud to have once again been selected to provide the propulsion equipment for these important research vessels. Our reputation for providing reliable and efficient propulsion solutions that are compact in size, fuel efficient, and environmentally friendly has given us a leading position in this market in China. We also give added value through having the industry’s most complete global service network to provide fast and efficient support wherever the vessels may be, ” says Hans Laheij , Sales Director, Middle East & Asia, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.
Both vessels are expected to be delivered to the owners in 2017.