Marine technology company Wartsila is to launch a new dual-fuel engine called the Wärtsilä 46TS-DF. The medium-speed marine engine has been designed to offer users efficiency, environmental performance and the flexibility to use different and more sustainable fuels.
Featuring two-stage turbocharging, the Wärtsilä 46TS-DF is capable of delivering high levels of efficiency and power density, making it suitable for use by a wide range of vessels with varying operational performance requirements. The engine’s high efficiency will result in less fuel consumption and lower emissions. Furthermore, the propulsion system is retrofittable to enable the use of future carbon-neutral and carbon-free fuels.
The dual-fuel 46TS-DF engine is also capable of running on LNG, resulting in greatly reduced air pollutants. The engine may also prove to be a viable platform for the use of bio or synthetic methane as it becomes available in the future. When used in a gas fuel mode, the engine has the highest efficiency achieved so far in the medium-speed engine market, Wartsila states.
The multi-fuel engine is available in six to 16-cylinder configurations, with a corresponding power output range of 7.8MW to 20.8MW at 600rpm. With its intrinsically modular design, the 46TS-DF engine can be easily modified to enable the use of alternative future fuels.
The engine was first ordered by Chantiers de l’Atlantique for Royal Caribbean Cruises in April 2021 and will be installed on Utopia of the Seas, an Oasis class vessel. Currently under construction by Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, the ship 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.”
By launching the new engine Wartsila hopes to provide a futureproof solution which will aid owners and operators in reaching maritime decarbonization targets.
“The maritime sector is having to adapt to the transitional effects caused by the need to meet decarbonization goals within a relatively short period of time,” commented Stefan Nysjö, vice president, power supply, Wärtsilä Marine Power. “This new engine launch provides an important boost toward 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.”